Interference indication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application discloses an interference indication method and apparatus. The method supports an IEEE protocol, such as an 802.11be / Wi-Fi 7 / Wi-Fi 8 protocol, an IEEE 802.11bf / sensing protocol, or an IEEE 802.15 / UWB protocol. The method can also support a NearLink protocol. The method can be applied to Wi-Fi P2P transmission, NearLink P2P transmission, or channel measurement scenarios. The method comprises: acquiring an interference indication frame, wherein the interference indication frame comprises first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is used for indicating a first time period, the second indication information is used for indicating a time period during which a second station will be subject to interference, and the interference indication frame is used for instructing the second station to perform an interference mitigation operation in the first time period; and sending the interference indication frame, so that the second station performs an interference avoidance operation in the first time period, thereby improving system performance.

Description

Interference indication method and device

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510117394.7, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on January 23, 2025, entitled "Interference Indication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to interference indication methods and apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] Compared to the widely used new radio (NR) technology, short-range wireless communication technology is often used in scenarios where there is no unified deployment of network equipment. Existing short-range communication systems include wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, and satellite short-range communication systems.

[0004] WLAN refers to a general term for wireless networks covering a local area, with Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) being a typical example. Due to its high transmission speed, low cost, and open accessibility, WLAN has received widespread attention from industry and academia. WLAN operates in unlicensed frequency bands, and its most famous and dominant international standard is the IEEE 802.11 standard. Since its first version was released in 1997, the IEEE 802.11 standard has undergone major evolutions, including 802.11, 802.11a and 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.1n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax (considered the sixth generation of Wi-Fi, i.e., Wi-Fi 6, also known as high efficient). The latest generation WLAN standard, IEEE 802.11be (considered the seventh generation of Wi-Fi, i.e., Wi-Fi 7), is expected to be officially released in 2024 or 2025. The next-generation WLAN standard, IEEE 802.11bn (considered the eighth generation of Wi-Fi, i.e., Wi-Fi 8), has also begun research and is planned for release in 2028. WLAN carries more than 50% of the world's Internet Protocol (IP) traffic and has become, along with cellular networks, the main wireless networks now and in the future.

[0005] As one of the short-range wireless technologies, StarSpeed ​​technology is currently undergoing standardization. StarSpeed ​​technology supports diverse services characterized by low latency, high reliability, and high security, and can be applied to smart offices, smart homes, smart cars, and other application scenarios. The StarSpeed ​​Consortium released the StarSpeed ​​1.0 standard system in November 2022. After nearly three years of development, StarSpeed ​​technology has achieved progress in technology research, standard setting, chip development, and instrumentation support.

[0006] In current mainstream short-range communication systems, multiple devices transmitting wirelessly simultaneously on the same channel are likely to interfere with each other. How to reduce interference between devices has always been a research hotspot. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application discloses an interference indication method and apparatus, which can reduce interference between devices and improve system performance.

[0008] Firstly, embodiments of this application provide an interference indication method. This method is applied to a first site and implemented by the first site or a component on the first site side. The following description uses the implementation at the first site as an example. The first site is an access point (AP) or a non-access point station (non-AP STA). The method includes: the first site acquiring an interference indication frame. The interference indication frame includes first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information indicates a first time period, and the second indication information indicates that the first time period is the time period during which the second site will be interfered with. The interference indication frame instructs the second site to perform interference avoidance operations within the first time period. This allows the second site to reduce or avoid interference during the first time period, or to reduce or avoid interference to the first site during the first time period, thereby improving system performance. The second site can be any site that receives the interference indication frame. For example, the second site can be any one of multiple sites that receive the interference indication frame. In this application, interference to a site means that the transmission of that site is interfered with. Optionally, the interference that the second station will experience in the first time period can be divided into two types: one is the interference caused by the signal transmitted by the first station or the second station acting as a proxy for the first station during the first time period, and the other is the interference caused by the channel quality requirements of the service that the first station or the second station acting as a proxy for the first station will perform during the first time period. For example, if the first station performs a service with extremely high channel quality requirements on a certain channel during the first time period, the second station is not allowed to transmit on that channel during that first time period. Therefore, the channel quality requirements of the service that the first station or the second station acting as a proxy for the first station will perform during the first time period may cause interference to the second station's transmission.

[0009] In one possible design of the first aspect, the first station acts as a proxy station for the third station, or in other words, the third station is proxied by the first station. The first station acquires the interference indication frame, including: the first station receiving the interference indication frame from the third station; or, the first station generating the interference indication frame based on first information from the third station, where the first information indicates that the transmission of the second station will be interfered with during a first time period. Thus, the first station can act as a proxy for the third station to send the interference indication frame. Optionally, the interference indication frame includes the identification information of the third station. Optionally, the interference indication frame also includes the transmission power of the third station during the first time period.

[0010] In one possible design of the first aspect, both the first and third stations are non-AP STAs, the third station is not associated with the access point, and the first station is associated with the access point; or, the third station does not support the first communication protocol, and the first station does support the first communication protocol; thus, the first station can act as a proxy for the third station to send interference indication frames.

[0011] In one possible design of the first aspect, before acquiring the interference indication frame, the method further includes: a first station receiving an interference inquiry frame, the interference inquiry frame being used to inquire about interference information within a second time period, the first time period being included in the second time period; thereby, the second station can send an interference indication frame so that the second station can perform interference avoidance operations within the first time period, thereby improving system performance.

[0012] Secondly, this application provides another interference indication method. This method is applied to a second site and is implemented by the second site or a component on the second site side. The following description uses the implementation at the second site as an example. The second site is an AP or a non-AP STA. The method includes: the second site receiving an interference indication frame, the interference indication frame including first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information indicating a first time period, the second indication information indicating that the first time period is the time period during which the second site will be interfered with, and the interference indication frame instructing the second site to perform interference avoidance operations during the first time period; parsing the interference indication frame; thereby, the second site can perform interference avoidance operations to reduce or avoid interference received by the second site during the first time period, or to reduce or avoid interference caused to the first site during the first time period, thereby improving system performance.

[0013] In one possible design of the first aspect, the method further includes: performing an interference avoidance operation based on an interference indication frame during a first time period, wherein the interference avoidance operation is used to reduce or avoid interference received by the second site during the first time period, or the interference avoidance operation is used to reduce or avoid interference caused to the first site during the first time period; thereby reducing or avoiding interference received by the second site during the first time period, or reducing or avoiding interference caused to the first site during the first time period, thereby improving system performance.

[0014] In one possible design of the first aspect, the method further includes: a second station sending an interference query frame, the interference query frame being used to query interference information within a second time period, the first time period being included in the second time period; thereby, the interference information within the second time period can be obtained.

[0015] In one possible design of the first or second aspect, when the second indication information takes the first value, it is used to indicate that the first time period is the time period during which the second site will be interfered with; thus, the interference indication frame indicates that the first time period is the time period during which the second site will be interfered with. Optionally, the second indication information is 1 bit.

[0016] In one possible design of the first or second aspect, when the second indication information takes a second value, it is used to indicate that the first time period is a time period in which the third station is unavailable, the third station is the first station, or the third station is proxied by the first station; thus, the interference indication frame can be used to indicate both unavailable time periods and time periods that will be interfered with, so as to reduce the workload of parsing the interference indication frame.

[0017] In one possible design of the first or second aspect, the second indication information is an interference type field, which indicates the type of interference that the second station will experience during the first time period, so that the second station can perform corresponding interference avoidance operations based on the interference type.

[0018] In one possible design of the first or second aspect, the interference type is the interference caused by the transmission of a first service at the first site to the transmission at the second site. Optionally, the interference indication frame further includes third indication information, which indicates the first channel / link, and the second indication information indicates the first time period as the time period during which the second site will be interfered with on the first channel / link, and the interference type is the interference caused by the transmission of the first service at the first site on the first channel / link to the transmission at the second site.

[0019] In one possible design of either the first or second aspect, the first service is any one of the following: Wi-Fi point-to-point (P2P) service, StarFlash P2P service, integrated millimeter wave (IMMW) P2P service, or channel measurement task.

[0020] In one possible design of the first or second aspect, the interference type is either interference caused by the first channel quality requirement of the first station to the transmission of the second station or interference caused by the second channel quality requirement of the first station to the transmission of the second station, wherein the first channel quality requirement and the second channel quality requirement are different; so that the second station can perform corresponding interference avoidance operations according to the interference type.

[0021] In one possible design of the first or second aspect, the first channel quality requirement includes one or more of the following: the channel quality requirement of IMMW P2P for the low-frequency auxiliary channel, and the channel quality requirement of the channel measurement task; the low-frequency auxiliary channel is the first channel.

[0022] In one possible design of the first or second aspect, the interference type is interference exceeding a first threshold or interference not exceeding the first threshold; so that the second station performs a corresponding interference avoidance operation according to the interference type.

[0023] In one possible design of the first or second aspect, the interference indication frame further includes third indication information, which indicates the first channel / link, and the second indication information indicates the first time period as the time period during which the second site will be interfered with on the first channel / link.

[0024] In one possible design of the first or second aspect, the interference indication frame further includes fourth indication information, which indicates the transmission power, the transmission power being the transmission power of the third station in the first time period, the third station being the first station, or the third station being proxied by the first station.

[0025] In one possible design of the first or second aspect, an interference interrogation frame is used to interrogate interference information of one or more channels during a second time period. The interference interrogation frame includes a fifth indication information or a sixth indication information, the fifth indication information being used to indicate the second time period, and the sixth indication information being used to indicate one or more channels, the one or more channels including the first channel; the interference information of the one or more channels during the second time period is obtained by sending the interference interrogation frame.

[0026] In one possible design of either the first or second aspect, the interference indication frame is the initial control frame (ICF).

[0027] In one possible design of the first or second aspect, the interference interrogation frame is an ICF, and the interference indication frame is an initial control response frame (ICR).

[0028] In one possible design of the first or second aspect, the interference indication frame includes a TWT element, which is the aforementioned first indication information, and the TWT element indicates a TWT service period (SP) of a first time period.

[0029] In one possible design of the first or second aspect, the interference avoidance operation is used to reduce or avoid interference to the second site during the first time period, or the interference avoidance operation is used to reduce or avoid interference to the first site during the first time period.

[0030] In one possible design of the first or second aspect, the interference avoidance operation is performed by any of the following: performing non-primary channel access (NPCA), performing dynamic sub-band operation (DSO), entering power saving mode, entering dynamic power save (DPS) mode, updating the NPCA primary channel information, establishing or updating the target wake time (TWT), using selective subchannel transmission (SST) for channel switching, performing link switching, performing channel access or transmission on a channel other than the first channel during the first time period, and stopping transmission on the first channel during the first time period; the second indication information is used to indicate that the first time period is the period during which the second station will be interfered with on the first channel; the interference suffered by the second station during the first time period can be reduced or avoided, or the interference caused to the first station during the first time period can be reduced or avoided, thereby improving system performance.

[0031] In one possible design of the first or second aspect, the interference indication frame also includes an interference type field, which indicates the type of interference that the second site will experience during the first time period.

[0032] The interference type is the interference caused by the Wi-Fi P2P service transmission of the first site to the transmission of the second site. The interference avoidance operation is performed by any of the following: reducing the number of spatial streams (NSS) used, reducing the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) used; or,

[0033] The interference type is the interference caused by the transmission of the StarShine P2P service at the first site to the transmission at the second site. The interference avoidance operation is any of the following: reduce the used NSS, reduce the used MCS, enter dynamic energy-saving DPS mode, enter energy-saving mode via the target wake-up time (TWT), use a non-primary channel to access the NPCA for channel switching, update the NPCA primary channel, use dynamic subband operation (DSO) for channel switching, update the DSO preferred channel, use subchannel selection transmission (SST) for channel switching, or perform link switching; or...

[0034] The interference type is the interference caused by the transmission of the IMMW P2P service at the first site to the transmission at the second site. The interference avoidance operation is any one of the following: entering DPS mode, entering energy-saving mode via TWT, using NPCA for channel switching, updating the NPCA primary channel, using DSO for channel switching, updating the DSO preferred channel, using SST for channel switching, or performing link switching; or...

[0035] The interference type is the interference caused by the channel measurement task of the first site to the transmission of the second site. The interference avoidance operation is to perform any of the following: enter DPS mode, enter energy saving mode through TWT, use NPCA to switch channels, update the NPCA primary channel, use DSO to switch channels, update the DSO preferred channel, use SST to switch channels, or perform link switching.

[0036] In one possible design of the first or second aspect, the interference indication frame further includes an interference type field, which indicates the type of interference that the second station will experience during the first time period; if the interference type is interference caused by the first channel quality requirement of the first station to the transmission of the second station, the interference avoidance operation is performed by any of the following: entering DPS mode, entering power saving mode via TWT, using NPCA for channel switching, updating the NPCA primary channel, using DSO for channel switching, updating the DSO preferred channel, using SST for channel switching, performing link switching, reducing the used NSS, or reducing the used MCS; or, if the interference type is interference caused by the second channel quality requirement of the first station to the transmission of the second station, the interference avoidance operation is performed by any of the following: reducing the used NSS or reducing the used MCS.

[0037] In one possible design of the first or second aspect, the interference indication frame further includes an interference type field, which indicates the type of interference that the second site will experience during the first time period; if the interference type exceeds the first threshold, the interference avoidance operation is performed by any of the following: entering DPS mode, entering energy-saving mode via TWT, using NPCA for channel switching, updating the NPCA primary channel, using DSO for channel switching, updating the DSO preferred channel, using SST for channel switching, performing link switching, reducing the used NSS, or reducing the used MCS; or, if the interference type does not exceed the first threshold, the interference avoidance operation is performed by any of the following: reducing the used NSS or reducing the used MCS.

[0038] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that has the function of implementing the behavior described in the first aspect of the method embodiment. This communication device can be a communication equipment, a component of a communication equipment (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the communication equipment. Taking a first station as an example, the communication device's function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the aforementioned functions. In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module, wherein: the processing module is used to acquire an interference indication frame, the interference indication frame including first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information indicating a first time period, the second indication information indicating that the first time period is the time period during which the second station will be interfered with, and the interference indication frame instructing the second station to perform interference avoidance operations within the first time period; the transceiver module is used to transmit the interference indication frame.

[0039] In one possible design of the third aspect, the communication device is a proxy station for a third station; the processing module is specifically used to acquire the interference indication frame received by the transceiver module from the third station; or, the processing module is specifically used to generate an interference indication frame based on first information from the third station, the first information being used to indicate that the transmission of the second station will be interfered with in a first time period.

[0040] In one possible design of the third aspect, the transceiver module is also used to receive interference query frames, which are used to query interference information within a second time period, wherein the first time period is included in the second time period.

[0041] For possible implementations of the communication device in the third aspect, please refer to the various possible implementations in the first aspect.

[0042] For the technical effects of the various possible implementations of the third aspect, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the various possible implementations of the first aspect.

[0043] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that has the function of implementing the behavior described in the second aspect of the method embodiment. The communication device can be a communication equipment, a component of a communication equipment (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the communication equipment. Taking a second station as an example, the communication device's function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the aforementioned functions. In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module, wherein: the transceiver module is used to receive an interference indication frame, the interference indication frame including first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information indicating a first time period, the second indication information indicating that the first time period is the time period during which the second station will be interfered with, and the interference indication frame instructing the second station to perform interference avoidance operations within the first time period; the processing module is used to parse the interference indication frame.

[0044] In one possible design of the fourth aspect, the processing module is further configured to perform an interference avoidance operation within a first time period based on the interference indication frame. The interference avoidance operation is used to reduce or avoid interference to the second site within the first time period, or the interference avoidance operation is used to reduce or avoid interference to the first site within the first time period.

[0045] In one possible design of the fourth aspect, the transceiver module is also used to send interference query frames, which are used to query interference information within a second time period, wherein the first time period is included in the second time period.

[0046] For possible implementations of the communication device in the fourth aspect, please refer to the various possible implementations in the second aspect.

[0047] For the technical effects of the various possible implementations of the fourth aspect, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the various possible implementations of the second aspect.

[0048] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide another communication device, which includes a processor for causing the communication device to perform the methods described in the first or second aspect above.

[0049] Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory, with a processor coupled to the memory. The memory stores computer programs or instructions, and the processor executes the computer programs or instructions in the memory, causing the communication device to perform the methods described in the first or second aspect above. For example, the communication device may be a chip, the processor may be a processing unit within the chip, and the memory may be a random access memory or cache within the chip.

[0050] In this embodiment of the application, during the execution of the above method, the process of sending information (or signals) can be understood as a process of outputting information based on a computer program or instruction of the processor. When outputting information, the processor outputs the information to the transceiver so that the transceiver can transmit it. After being output by the processor, the information may undergo further processing before reaching the transceiver. Similarly, when the processor receives input information, the transceiver receives the information and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the information, the information may undergo further processing before being input into the processor.

[0051] Unless otherwise specified, or unless it contradicts its actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, the sending and / or receiving operations involved by the processor can generally be understood as processor-based computer program or instruction output.

[0052] In implementation, the processor described above can be a processor specifically designed to execute these methods, or it can be a processor that executes computer programs or instructions stored in memory to execute these methods, such as a general-purpose processor. For example, the processor can also be used to execute programs stored in memory, which, when executed, cause the communication device to perform the methods shown in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0053] In one possible design, the memory is located outside the aforementioned communication device. In another possible design, the memory is located inside the aforementioned communication device.

[0054] In one possible design, the processor and memory may be integrated into a single device; that is, the processor and memory may be integrated together.

[0055] In one possible design, the communication device also includes a transceiver for receiving or transmitting signals, etc.

[0056] In a sixth aspect, this application provides another communication device, which includes a processing circuit and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to acquire or output data; the processing circuit being used to perform the methods described in the first or second aspect above.

[0057] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described in the first or second aspect above. The computer may be either the first or second type of computer described above.

[0058] Eighthly, this application provides a chip including a communication interface and a processor; the communication interface is used for signal transmission and reception of the chip; the processor is used to execute computer programs or instructions, causing a communication device including the chip to perform the methods described in the first aspect or the second aspect above.

[0059] Ninthly, this application provides a computer program product that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in the first or second aspect above.

[0060] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system including a first station and a second station. The first station is used to perform the method shown in the first aspect or any possible design described above, and the second station is used to perform the method shown in the second aspect or any possible design described above. Optionally, the communication system further includes the third station described above. Attached Figure Description

[0061] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figure 2 is a timing diagram of a TWT SP provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0064] Figure 3A is a schematic diagram of a non-master channel access provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0065] Figure 3B is a schematic diagram of another non-master channel access provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0066] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a DSO process;

[0067] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of an ICF frame format;

[0068] Figure 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of a station waking up from a low-power detection mode and adjusting its bandwidth;

[0069] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an interference indication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0070] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the frame format of an interference parameter set field provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0071] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating another interference indication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0072] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the frame format of an interference parameter set field provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0073] Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of the apparatus 10 provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0074] Figure 12 is a structural schematic diagram of a device 20 provided in this application;

[0075] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a chip system 30 provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0076] The terms "first" and "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are only used to distinguish different objects and not to describe a specific order. It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and inherent logic. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0077] The term "embodiment" as used herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a mutually exclusive, independent, or alternative embodiment. Those skilled in the art will understand, explicitly and implicitly, that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments. In this application, message names are used only to distinguish different messages and should not be construed as limiting. That is, any message name in this application can be replaced with other names, and this application does not impose any limitations.

[0078] The terminology used in the following embodiments of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this application. As used in the specification and appended claims of this application, the singular expressions “a,” “an,” “the,” “the,” “the,” and “this” are intended to include the plural expressions as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used in this application refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more of the listed items. For example, “A and / or B” can mean: the presence of only A, the presence of only B, and the presence of both A and B, where A and B can be singular or plural. The term “multiple” as used in this application refers to two or more. In the textual description of this application, the character “ / ” generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an “or” relationship.

[0079] It is understood that in the various embodiments of this application, "B corresponding to A" means that there is a correspondence between A and B, and B can be determined based on A. However, it should also be understood that determining (or generating) B based on (or on) A does not mean that B is determined (or generated) solely based on (or on) A; B can also be determined (or generated) based on (or on) A and / or other information.

[0080] It should be understood that in this application, the indication includes direct indication (also known as explicit indication) and implicit indication. Direct indication information A refers to information A being included; implicit indication information A refers to information A being indicated through the correspondence between information A and information B, and through direct indication information B. The correspondence between information A and information B can be predefined, pre-stored, pre-burned, or pre-configured.

[0081] It should be understood that in this application, information C is used to determine information D, including both situations where information D is determined solely based on information C and situations where it is determined based on information C and other information. Furthermore, information C can also be used to determine information D indirectly, for example, where information D is determined based on information E, and information E is determined based on information C.

[0082] In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which can include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission via the air interface from other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which can include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY via the air interface from other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between a first node and a second node, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via a bus, trace, or interface.

[0083] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0084] The technical solution provided in this application can be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) scenarios, for example, supporting the relevant standards of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11. IEEE 802.11 related standards include 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7), and 802.11bn (also known as Wi-Fi 8, or Ultra High Reliability (UHR) or the next generation of 802.11bn, or standards supporting ambient power (AMP), etc. It also includes 802.11ad and 802.11ay standards. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to ultra-wideband (UWB) based wireless personal area network (PAN) systems, such as those supporting the 802.15 series standards; they can also be applied to sensing systems, such as those supporting the 802.11bf series standards; and they can also be applied to systems supporting Wi-Fi artificial intelligence (AI). Wireless LAN systems that support Intelligence (AI) or millimeter-wave (mmWave) wireless LAN systems. The 802.11n standard is also known as the high throughput (HT) standard, the 802.11ac standard as the very high throughput (VHT) standard, the 802.11ax standard as the high efficient (HE) standard, and the 802.11be standard as the extremely high throughput (EHT) standard. The 802.11bf standard includes two main categories: low-frequency (e.g., sub7GHz) and high-frequency (e.g., 60GHz) standards. Sub7GHz implementations primarily rely on 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, and next-generation standards, while 60GHz implementations primarily rely on 802.11ad, 802.11ay, integrated mmWave standards, and next-generation standards.Among them, the 802.11ad standard can also be called the directional multi-gigabit (DMG) standard, and the 802.11ay standard can also be called the enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) standard.

[0085] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can also be applied to various communication systems, such as: WLAN communication systems, Wi-Fi systems, Starflash short-range communication systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X, where X can represent anything), device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication systems, narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), world wide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5th generation (5G) systems or new radio (NR) systems, and new communication systems that will emerge in the future development of communication.

[0086] The communication systems described above that are applicable to this application are merely illustrative examples, and the application is not limited to these. This description is consistent with the previous one and will not be repeated below. Furthermore, the term "system" can be used interchangeably with "network".

[0087] This application supports IEEE protocols, such as IEEE 802.11be / Wi-Fi 7 / EHT, IEEE 802.11bn / UHR / Wi-Fi 8, IEEE Integrated mmWave / IMMW, IEEE 802.15 / UWB, or IEEE 802.11bf / sensing; this application may also support Spark Link / NearLink standard protocols.

[0088] WLAN systems can provide high-speed, low-latency transmission. As WLAN application scenarios continue to evolve, WLAN systems will be applied to more scenarios or industries, such as the Internet of Things industry, the Internet of Vehicles industry, the banking industry, enterprise offices, stadiums and exhibition halls, concert halls, hotel rooms, dormitories, hospital wards, classrooms, shopping malls, squares, streets, production workshops and warehouses, etc. Of course, devices that support WLAN communication or sensing (such as access points or sites) can be sensor nodes in smart cities (such as smart water meters, smart electricity meters, and smart air monitoring nodes), smart devices in smart homes (such as smart cameras, projectors, displays, televisions, speakers, refrigerators, and washing machines), nodes in the Internet of Things (IoT), entertainment terminals (such as wearable devices for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), smart devices in smart offices (such as printers, projectors, loudspeakers, and speakers), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) devices, infrastructure in daily life scenarios (such as vending machines, self-service navigation kiosks in supermarkets, self-service checkout machines, and self-service ordering machines), and equipment in large sports and music venues.

[0089] This application primarily uses the deployment of a WLAN network, particularly one employing the IEEE 802.11 system standard, as an example for illustration. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the various aspects described in this application can be extended to other networks employing various standards or protocols, such as high-performance radio local area networks (HIPERLANs), wireless wide area networks (WWANs), wireless personal area networks (WPANs), or other networks now known or developed in the future. Therefore, regardless of the coverage area and wireless access protocol used, the various aspects provided in this application can be applied to any suitable wireless network.

[0090] In one possible implementation, the method provided in this application embodiment can be implemented by a communication device in a communication system. For example, the communication device can be an access point (AP) or a station (STA).

[0091] Sites can be categorized into non-access point stations (non-AP STAs) and access point stations. For ease of description, this article will refer to access point stations as access points (APs) and non-access point stations as stations (STAs) or non-AP stations, i.e., non-AP STAs. An AP is a station that provides network access services. For example, APs are typically implemented in wireless routers, while non-AP STAs are typically implemented in terminal devices such as smartphones. Generally, uplink traffic is sent from a non-AP STA to an AP, and downlink traffic is sent from an AP to a non-AP STA.

[0092] Sites located within the same basic service set (BSS) are referred to as belonging to the same BSS (or cell), while sites located in different BSSs are referred to as belonging to different BSSs (or cells). An AP located in the same BSS as a non-AP STA is called its associated AP, and the non-AP STA is called its associated STA. Communication between non-AP STAs is permitted, known as point-to-point (P2P) communication. In the following text, "site" includes both APs and non-AP STAs.

[0093] An access point is a node used by terminals (e.g., mobile phones) to access wired (or wireless) networks. It is primarily deployed in homes, buildings, and campuses, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters. Access points can also be deployed outdoors. An access point acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, its main function being to connect clients from various wireless networks together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet. An access point is a device with wireless communication capabilities, supporting communication using the WLAN protocol and having the ability to communicate with other devices in the WLAN network (such as non-AP STAs or other access points). Of course, access points can also have the ability to communicate with other devices.

[0094] An access point can be a complete device, or it can be a chip or processing system installed within a complete device. Devices with these chips or processing systems installed can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip or processing system (i.e., the AP). The AP in the embodiments of this application is a device that provides services to non-AP STAs, and for example, it can support one or more standards in the IEEE 802.11 series, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, 802.11bf, and 802.11bn.

[0095] Specifically, the access point can be a terminal or network device with a Wi-Fi chip. This network device can be a server, router, switch, bridge, computer, mobile phone, relay station, vehicle-mounted equipment, wearable device, network device in a 5G network, network device in a 6G network, or network device in a public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., and this application embodiment is not limited to these. Of course, the access point can also be the chip and processing system within these various forms of network devices, thereby implementing the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application. The access point can be a device that supports Wi-Fi standards. For example, the access point can also support one or more standards in the IEEE 802.11 series, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, 802.11bf, and 802.11bn.

[0096] A non-AP STA is a device with wireless communication capabilities, supporting communication using the WLAN protocol and having the ability to communicate with other non-AP STAs or access points in a WLAN network. For example, a non-AP STA is any communication device that allows a user to communicate with an AP and thus with the WLAN. A non-AP STA can be a complete device, or it can be a chip or processing system installed within a complete device. Devices with these chips or processing systems installed can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip or processing system. A non-AP STA can be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal, and can also be referred to as a user, user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device.

[0097] Non-AP STAs can include tag devices / smart tag devices, mobile phones, mobile stations (MS), tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities (e.g., laptops), virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, subscriber units, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, wireless data cards, personal digital assistant (PDA) computers, tablet computers, laptop computers, machine type communication (MTC) terminals, etc. The non-AP STA can include various handheld devices, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, terminal devices in 5G networks, terminal devices in 6G networks, or terminal devices in PLMNs, etc., and this application embodiment is not limited thereto. The non-AP STA can be a device that supports WLAN standards. For example, the non-AP STA can support one or more standards of the IEEE 802.11 series, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, and 802.11bf.

[0098] The aforementioned AP can be a multi-link device (MLD). A non-AP STA can also be an MLD. An MLD is a device that supports (has) multi-link simultaneous transmission. In other words, an MLD has the ability to establish multiple links simultaneously. In this application embodiment, a device that simultaneously supports multiple links and supports the IEEE 802.11 standard is referred to as an MLD. In the IEEE 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) standard, an MLD can use multiple links simultaneously. An MLD can be an access point MLD (AP MLD) or a non-AP MLD. It should be noted that the names of the multi-link devices mentioned above are merely examples and do not constitute any limitation on the scope of protection of this application. For example, an AP MLD can also be called a multi-link AP. A non-AP MLD can also be called a STA MLD. With the development of communication technology, AP MLDs or non-AP MLDs can also have other names, which will not be listed here.

[0099] A Media Access Detector (MLD) can include multiple affiliated sites. Each affiliated site has its own Media Access Control (MAC) address. Each affiliated site's MAC address can be referred to as a low-level MAC address. The MLD has an upper-level MAC address. In an AP MLD, the affiliated sites are called APs (Access Points). In a non-AP MLD, the affiliated sites are called STAs (Standard Stations). The operating frequency band of the MLD can be, for example, all or part of 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and the high-frequency 60 GHz band. For instance, different APs in an AP MLD may operate on different frequency bands, and different STAs in a non-AP MLD may operate on different frequency bands.

[0100] AP MLD and non-AP MLD can establish multi-link connections through signaling interaction on any link. In one possible implementation, during multi-link establishment, the non-AP MLD and AP MLD can establish an association through an association process. For example, the association process may include: the non-AP MLD sending an association request frame on link 1, carrying STA-side information for link 1 and STA-side information for link 2. For instance, the association request frame may carry a multi-link element field, which carries information about the non-AP MLD and the stations within it. The AP MLD then sends an association response frame on link 1, carrying AP-side information for link 1 and AP-side information for link 2, thereby enabling STA1 and STA2 of the non-AP MLD to establish (or complete) associations with AP1 and AP2 of the AP MLD, respectively.

[0101] The aforementioned AP or non-AP STA may include a transmitter, a receiver, a memory, a processor, etc., wherein the transmitter and receiver are used for transmitting and receiving packet structures, respectively, the memory is used to store signaling information and pre-agreed preset values, etc., and the processor is used to parse signaling information and process related data, etc.

[0102] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 1A shows a typical architecture of a basic service set (BSS) for a WLAN. An access point (AP) can connect to the internet, and multiple non-APSTAs (e.g., non-APSTA1, non-APSTA2, and non-APSTA3 shown in Figure 1A) are associated with the AP. Each non-APSTA accesses the internet through the AP. The number of APs and non-APSTAs shown in Figure 1A is merely an example; in a specific implementation, the number of APs or non-APSTAs can be more or less, and this embodiment of the application does not limit this. The AP in Figure 1A can be a multi-link device (MLD), i.e., an AP MLD, and one or more non-APSTAs in Figure 1A can be non-AP MLDs that support multiple links.

[0103] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication system may include one or more APs and one or more non-AP STAs. The number of APs and non-AP STAs shown in Figure 1B is merely an example; in a specific implementation, the number of APs or non-AP STAs may be more or less, and this embodiment of the application does not limit this. Figure 1B shows two APs, such as AP1 and AP2, and three stations, such as non-AP STA1, non-AP STA2, and non-AP STA3. As an example, the method provided in this embodiment of the application can be applied to data communication, sensing, or power transmission between an AP and one or more non-AP STAs, such as the communication, sensing, or power transmission between AP1 and non-AP STA1 as shown in Figure 1B. As another example, the method provided in this embodiment of the application can be applied to communication between APs, such as the communication, sensing, or power transmission between AP1 and AP2 as shown in Figure 1B. As another example, the method provided in this application embodiment can be applied to communication, sensing, or power transmission between non-AP STAs, such as the communication, sensing, or power transmission between non-AP STA2 and non-AP STA3 as shown in FIG1B.

[0104] The technical solutions of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. In case of any inconsistency, the meaning set forth in this specification or derived from the content described herein shall prevail. Furthermore, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments of this application only and is not intended to limit this application.

[0105] To facilitate understanding of the detailed implementation of the embodiments of this application, the technical terms involved in the embodiments of this application are described below. These explanations are intended to make the embodiments of this application easier to understand and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0106] 1) Target Wake Time (TWT): TWT is a power-saving mechanism defined in the Wi-Fi 6 standard. Under this mechanism, the AP and non-AP STAs negotiate to establish a TWT service period (SP), also known as the TWT SP. Within the TWT SP, the STA remains active after waking up. Outside the TWT SP, non-AP STAs can go into sleep mode, thus achieving power saving.

[0107] TWT can be divided into individual TWT and broadcast TWT.

[0108] In unicast TWT, each non-AP STA can establish a TWT protocol with the AP, so that each non-AP STA can have its own active time period (i.e., TWT SP) and sleep time period, i.e., the time period in which it is in a sleep state.

[0109] Specifically, in unicast TWT, the requesting STA can send a TWT request message to the responding STA, requesting a period of time to maintain an active state. Upon receiving the request message, the responding STA sends a response message to the requesting STA. After successful interaction, a TWT protocol is established between the two STAs. Once the TWT protocol is established, both the requesting and responding STAs should remain active for the agreed-upon time to send and receive data. Outside of this time, the requesting STA can hibernate to reduce energy consumption.

[0110] It is understandable that a non-AP STA can be a TWT requesting site and an AP can be a TWT responding site. In this case, the non-AP STA can send a TWT request message to the AP to establish a TWT protocol. Alternatively, a non-AP STA can be a TWT responding site and the AP can also be a TWT requesting site. In this case, the AP can send a TWT request message to the non-AP STA to establish a TWT protocol.

[0111] After the TWT protocol is established, the agreed-upon time can be called the TWTSP. Each TWT protocol can include multiple periodically occurring TWT service phases of equal length, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 is a timing diagram of a TWT SP provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 2, STA is the requesting station and AP is the responding station. After the requesting station and the responding station successfully exchange TWT request frames and TWT response frames, a TWT protocol is established between the requesting station and the responding station. This TWT protocol includes one or more periodically occurring TWT SPs of equal length.

[0112] In broadcast TWT, an AP can establish a common TWT protocol for a group of non-AP STAs. Multiple non-AP STAs can work during the same active time period and sleep during other time periods.

[0113] Broadcast TWT provides a "batch management" mechanism, allowing the AP to establish a series of periodically occurring TWTSPs with multiple non-AP STAs. Within a TWTSP, these non-AP STAs need to remain active to communicate with the AP.

[0114] Specifically, an AP can carry information associated with one or more broadcast TWTs in a beacon frame. Each broadcast TWT is represented by a broadcast TWT identifier and the AP's media access control (MAC) address. Upon receiving a Beacon frame, a non-AP STA, if it wishes to join a broadcast TWT, can send a broadcast TWT establishment request message to the AP, thus joining the broadcast TWT. During broadcast TWT establishment, a broadcast TWT identifier must be specified to request joining a specific broadcast TWT. After joining a broadcast TWT, a non-AP STA can communicate with the AP during the active period (or active time period) indicated by the TWT parameter set.

[0115] It is understandable that if a non-AP STA supports broadcast TWTs but does not explicitly indicate the identifier of the broadcast TWT to be added, the default broadcast TWT to participate in the broadcast TWT can be a broadcast TWT with an identifier of 0.

[0116] Similar to unicast TWTs, broadcast TWTs also specify the period at which TWT SPs appear and the duration of each TWT SP. In addition, broadcast TWT parameters include the broadcast TWT lifetime, which is expressed in units of Beacon frame intervals and represents the duration of the established broadcast TWT.

[0117] 2) Restricted TWT (R-TWT): R-TWT is a special type of broadcast TWT. The SP corresponding to R-TWT is used to serve low-latency services.

[0118] The AP can carry a TWT element field in the beacon frame to indicate the service time of R-TWT, for example, by setting the value of the Broadcast TWT Recommendation field in the TWT element to 4 to indicate that the beacon frame is an R-TWT beacon frame.

[0119] For example, TWT element fields may include an element identifier field, a length field, a control field, and a TWT parameter information field. The TWT parameter information field may include a request type field, a target wake-up time field, a nominal minimum TWT wake duration field, a TWT wakeinterval mantissa field, a broadcast TWT info field, and a restricted TWT traffic info field. The request type field may include a TWT request field, a TWT setup command field, a trigger field, a last broadcast parameter set field, a flow type field, a broadcast TWT recommendation field, a TWT wake interval exponent field, and a reserved field.

[0120] Understandably, after the AP declares R-TWT in the beacon frame, a non-AP STA can send a request frame (such as a TWT setup frame) to the AP to request to join the R-TWT and become a member of the R-TWT so that it can transmit low-latency services in the R-TWT SP.

[0121] Based on the above description of R-TWT, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) standard can improve support for low-latency services by introducing R-target wake time (TWT).

[0122] R-TWT can pre-allocate SPs based on periodic services and give high access priority to low-latency services within the SPs to reduce transmission latency.

[0123] Even though R-TWT can improve support for low-latency services, the 802.11bn (Wi-Fi 8) standard sets even higher requirements for low latency, such as ultra-low latency of less than a few milliseconds. Furthermore, this demand for ultra-low latency exists in practical applications such as extended reality (XR) / augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) / mixed reality (MR), the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT), and telemedicine.

[0124] 3) Channel Access: WLAN systems operate in unlicensed frequency bands, and their wireless channels are shared. Stations need to access the channel before sending data packets. In one possible implementation, a station needs to listen to the channel before sending a data packet; if the channel is busy, the station's transmission is temporarily suspended until the channel becomes idle. Once the channel is idle, the station needs to perform random backoff before sending a data packet to handle collisions between multiple potential transmitting stations. After the random backoff process ends when the channel is idle, the station can send data packets. Optionally, before sending a data packet, the station can also interact with the destination station using a short control frame, such as a request-to-send (RTS) frame or a clear-to-send (CTS) frame, to further reduce throughput loss due to collisions. Because after a short frame interaction, the transmitting station can quickly know that a collision has occurred, and it will re-perform random backoff before accessing the channel, avoiding directly sending long data packets during a collision and causing the entire data packet transmission to fail.

[0125] Wi-Fi 8 defines two channel access modes for WLAN: primary channel access (PCA) mode and non-primary channel access (NPCA) mode.

[0126] Primary channel access refers to the process by which a node (e.g., a station) in a WLAN network accesses the primary channel and obtains the right to use it. Since WLANs operate in unlicensed spectrum, this means that various wireless systems can publicly and freely use this spectrum resource, thus requiring contention-based channel access. For example, nodes in a WLAN network use carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA / CA) for channel access. The CSMA / CA mechanism uses a listen-before-talk (LBT) approach to access the channel; that is, a station wishing to acquire channel access for frame exchange must first listen to the channel's availability level. Only when the channel is idle and certain rules are met can the station acquire channel access. Upon successful access, the station receives a transmission opportunity (TXOP), and this station is called the holder of the acquired TXOP.

[0127] While primary channel access is logically clean and simple to operate, its spectrum usage frequency is decreasing as device deployments become denser and bandwidth increases. For example, a site operating on a 160MHz channel might be detected as busy on the primary 20MHz channel while all other sub-channels are detected as idle. According to the primary channel access mechanism, this site cannot use any channel and must back off, even though the other sub-channels are actually idle and theoretically usable. Therefore, WiFi 8 is now discussing non-primary channel access, where, when the primary channel is busy, transmission is not backed off but instead occurs through an idle non-primary sub-channel. In this case, the site switches to a non-primary channel (recently named the NPCA primary channel, with only one NPCA primary channel per BSS) and competes for the channel on this NPCA primary / non-primary channel. In this article, NPCA primary channel and non-primary channel have the same meaning. Or, non-primary channel refers to NPCA primary channel. Optionally, NPCA primary channel is the only non-primary channel set up in NPCA for channel access when the primary channel is busy.

[0128] Non-primary channel access (NPCA) refers to the process in a WLAN network where a node (e.g., a site) detects a PPDU (Presenting Processing Unit) sent by a site in the Overlapping Basic Service Set (OBSS) during the process of accessing and acquiring channel usage rights on the primary channel. According to certain rules, the node then switches to non-primary channel access to acquire channel usage rights. For example, on a non-primary channel, the site still uses the CSMA / CA channel access mechanism. Optionally, no later than the end of the OBSS TXOP, the site returns from the non-primary channel to the primary channel and performs primary channel access. NPCA can be understood as an operation by an AP or non-AP STA to improve channel utilization after the TXOP on the primary channel is preempted by the OBSS (or for other reasons, at least one party occupies the primary channel while the other party can access the non-primary channel, and the communication start and end times are fixed).

[0129] Non-primary channel access can be used between infrastructure BSSs (characterized by a set of sites where one site, called an AP, is responsible for accessing the large distributed system (DS), while other sites access the DS through the AP). For example, if an AP in BSS1 and a non-APSTA detect an OBSSTXOP on the primary channel, such as a TXOP on BSS2, they can both switch to a non-primary channel for transmission and reception (i.e., perform PD on that non-primary channel to compete for the channel). Incidentally, for non-AP STAs within an infrastructure BSS, non-primary channel access can only be used if an OBSSTXOP is detected on the primary channel; if a BSSTXOP is detected on the primary channel, it means that the AP of this BSS is participating in the transmission of this BSS site, and sites not participating in the transmission, even if they switch to a non-primary channel, cannot communicate with the AP. It is worth noting that in this application and protocol, when referring to "sites," it includes both APs and non-AP STAs.

[0130] In current discussions of non-primary channel access, considering compatibility with legacy sites (e.g., previous generations of Wi-Fi protocol devices) and network allocation vector (NAV) settings, mainstream designs require sites to only use idle sub-channels (i.e., hopping to the NPCA primary / non-primary channel) for transmission when the primary channel is detected to be busy. Furthermore, the site must hop back to the primary channel from the NPCA primary / non-primary channel before the primary channel becomes idle again (i.e., before the NAV countdown on the primary channel ends), as shown in Figures 3A and 3B. Figure 3A is a schematic diagram of non-primary channel access provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 3A, the dashed line on the left indicates the start time of detecting the OBSSPPDU, the downward arrow indicates the time of switching to the non-primary channel, the dashed line on the right indicates the end time of the OBSS TXOP, the switch delay is the time it takes for the site to switch from the primary channel to the non-primary channel, and the switch back delay is the time it takes for the site to switch back to the primary channel from the non-primary channel. During the process of accessing and acquiring channel usage rights on the main channel, after detecting an OBSSPPDU, the station switches from main channel access to non-main channel access. No later than the end of the OBSS TXOP, i.e., the end of the NAV timer, the station returns from the non-main channel to the main channel. Figure 3B is a schematic diagram of another non-main channel access provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 3B, after the station's transmission request is generated, during the process of accessing and acquiring channel usage rights on the main channel, after detecting an OBSSPPDU on the main channel, the station jumps from main channel access to non-main channel access, for example, accessing on non-main channel 6. No later than the end of the OBSS TXOP, the station returns from non-main channel 6 to the main channel.

[0131] There is a certain time delay (latency) required for a site to complete channel handover. NPCA involves handover delay and handback delay, or both collectively referred to as round-trip handover delay. When the NPCA primary channel is set within the operating bandwidth of a non-AP STA, channel handover does not involve a change in the center frequency, thus the handover delay and handback delay are relatively small.

[0132] As the maximum bandwidth supported by Wi-Fi increases, the bandwidth supported by non-AP STAs will be smaller than that of APs. Therefore, the NPCA main channel may be located outside the operating bandwidth of the non-AP STA, resulting in a change in the center frequency when the non-AP STA switches between the main channel and the NPCA main channel. Because the phase-locked loop of the non-AP STA takes a long time to generate a new clock frequency and wait for it to lock until the generated clock stabilizes, switching from the main channel to the NPCA main channel in the NPCA requires a large handover delay, and switching from the NPCA main channel to the main channel requires a large handback delay.

[0133] 4) Dynamic Sub-Band Operation (DSO): As the maximum bandwidth supported by Wi-Fi increases, the bandwidth supported by a non-AP STA will be smaller than that of the AP. To effectively utilize the full bandwidth supported by the AP, the Wi-Fi 8 (802.11bn) proposal introduced dynamic sub-band operation. Dynamic sub-band operation can also be called dynamic sub-channel operation. Within a TXOP, the AP can indicate a sub-channel to a non-AP STA with DSO capability. A non-AP STA with DSO capability refers to a non-AP STA that supports performing DSO. The AP initiates a transmission to the DSO STA (i.e., a non-AP STA with DSO capability) after a sufficient time delay. This time delay is set to ensure that the DSO STA completes the channel handover (center frequency change), because the DSO STA's phase-locked loop needs a considerable amount of time to generate a new clock frequency and wait for locking until the generated clock stabilizes. The AP also ensures that the channel is reserved during this handover. At the end of the TXOP, the DSO STA switches back to the primary channel.

[0134] Figure 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a DSO process. As shown in Figure 4, 160P represents the primary 160MHz (which can be considered the primary channel), and 160S represents the secondary 160MHz (which can be considered the secondary channel). The AP sends an initial control frame (ICF) to STA1, which has DSO capability. Correspondingly, STA1 and STA2 receive (Rx) the ICF in the primary 160MHz. This ICF is used to instruct STA1 to switch to the secondary 160MHz. After receiving the ICF, STA1 passes through a short interframe space (SIFS) and feeds back an initial control response frame (ICR) to the AP in the secondary 160MHz. After receiving the ICF, STA2 passes through SIFS and feeds back an ICR to the AP in the primary 160MHz. STA1 and the AP exchange frames in the secondary 160MHz. After the TXOP ends, and after the interval between SIFS and delta time, STA1 switches back to the primary 160MHz bandwidth (switch back to 160P). As shown in Figure 4, the AP uses a method of adding medium access control (MAC) padding to the end of the ICF to reserve the channel during the STA's center frequency handover. The STA replies with ICR after completing the center frequency handover. The 320MHz downlink (DL) / uplink (UL) orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) in Figure 4 represents uplink and / or downlink transmissions between the AP and one or more STAs (including STA1) on 320MHz.

[0135] To initiate bandwidth adjustment for sites in low-power detection mode or subchannel handover for sites in DSO mode before MAC padding begins in the ICF, a new frame check sequence (FCS)2 needs to be set before MAC padding, as shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of an ICF frame format. As shown in Figure 5, this ICF includes: frame control, duration, receive address (RA), transmit address (TA), common information, user information field (STA1), user information field (STA2) (optionally), FCS2, padding user information, and FCS. This ICF may include one or more user information fields; Figure 5 shows an example of an ICF including two user information fields. The new FCS2 is set in the user information field of the ICF frame. Sites requiring bandwidth adjustment or sub-channel switching perform FCS2 verification upon receiving an ICF frame. If the verification passes, they begin bandwidth or sub-channel switching, utilizing the MAC padding time following FCS2 to complete the switching.

[0136] The above methods reserve the channel during bandwidth adjustment or subchannel switching by setting MAC padding. The MAC padding duration can cover the time required for bandwidth adjustment or subchannel switching.

[0137] 5) In-device coexistence (IDC): IDC refers to the periodic unavailability of Wi-Fi for a STA or AP due to the operation of other protocols within the device, including periodic and non-periodic periods. For example, when a STA is in IDC state, it may be unavailable for a specific period of time, and the STA can inform the AP of this unavailability period. Dynamic unavailability indication (DUI) / dynamic unavailability operation (DUO) is used to indicate the period of unavailability for an AP or STA. For example, the AP may indicate its unavailability period to the STA, or the STA may indicate its unavailability period to the AP. After the STA informs the AP of its unavailability, the AP will no longer schedule the STA for the corresponding period; after the AP informs the STA of its unavailability, the STA will no longer compete for the channel to send frames to the AP for the corresponding period.

[0138] The unavailability period indicated by the dynamic unavailability indication / dynamic unavailability operation indication is not limited to the period caused by IDC. It can also be caused by other problems that make the equipment (AP or STA) or some functions or some sub-channels unavailable for a period of time. The unavailability situation can be indicated to the other end in advance through ICF and / or ICR.

[0139] 6) Dynamic Power Save (DPS): In different application scenarios, the functional requirements of Wi-Fi may change dynamically over time. At different times, we want the Wi-Fi device's capability configuration to meet these requirements. If the capability configuration remains constant, the Wi-Fi device needs to use a higher capability configuration to consistently meet dynamically changing functional requirements, which means higher power consumption. To reduce Wi-Fi device power consumption, it is generally desirable to dynamically adjust the Wi-Fi device's capability configuration according to changes in functional requirements, avoiding unnecessary power consumption.

[0140] When Wi-Fi devices operate in conventional low-power detection mode, they reduce the number of spatial streams (NSS) and modulation and coding scheme (MCS) to lower power consumption using a lower capability configuration. The NSS and MCS are then increased when the Wi-Fi device transitions from conventional low-power detection mode to data transmission mode. For example, Wi-Fi devices supporting the IEEE 802.11be standard reduce NSS and MCS in enhanced multi-link single radio (eMLSR) low-power detection mode to lower power consumption, and then adjust and increase NSS and MCS when transitioning to data transmission mode. If bandwidth adjustment is involved, a phase-locked loop (PLL) needs to generate a new clock and wait for the clock to stabilize, which takes a considerable amount of time. The 802.11be standard does not specifically design a delay to allow the clock switch to complete during the transition between low-power detection mode and data transmission mode, therefore it does not support bandwidth adjustment within the TXOP (Transmission Turning Point).

[0141] Introducing bandwidth adjustment into the dynamic power-saving mode allows the STA to use lower bandwidth when in low-power detection mode and increase bandwidth upon wake-up. To address the longer latency required for STA bandwidth adjustment, one solution is to add a MAC padding field to the end of the ICF sent by the AP, as shown in Figure 6. The duration of the padding covers the time required for the PLL to generate the corresponding clock and wait for the clock to stabilize. The padding scheme can cover the STA's bandwidth switching time and reserve the channel during this period. After completing the bandwidth switching, the STA performs a clear channel assessment (CCA) and responds with an ICR. Figure 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of a station waking up from low-power detection mode and adjusting bandwidth. As shown in Figure 6, a MAC padding field is added to the end of the ICF sent by the AP. After receiving the ICF, the STA switches from low-power detection mode to data transmission mode, and the bandwidth changes from 20MHz to 80MHz. After switching to data transmission mode, the STA sends an ICF response frame, i.e., an ICR, via SIFS.

[0142] 7) Integrated Millimeter Wave: In high-frequency millimeter wave communication, such as the 802.11ad and 802.11ay standards operating around 60GHz, and the integrated millimeter wave (integrated mmWave) standard 802.11bq for Wi-Fi 8 (the mainstream low-frequency standard for Wi-Fi 8 is 802.11bn), the higher operating frequency results in greater path loss during signal transmission in space. To increase communication distance, two communication devices can perform beam alignment and beam tracking before communication to find a better communication link.

[0143] WiFi 8 integrates the millimeter-wave 802.11bq standard, which is a communication standard between WiFi devices that allows for the coexistence of low-frequency Sub-7 GHz links and high-frequency millimeter-wave links.

[0144] The unlicensed bandwidth of tens of GHz in the millimeter-wave band makes millimeter-wave communication potentially significantly improve data transmission rates, thus attracting considerable attention from the WiFi industry to integrate millimeter-wave communication. However, the high operating frequency of millimeter waves results in significant path loss during spatial transmission. To increase the distance of millimeter-wave communication, beamforming technology is used to concentrate the millimeter-wave signal energy in one direction, thereby increasing the signal transmission distance. Before two communication devices can communicate in the millimeter-wave band, they need to perform beam training to align their respective beam directions. Traditional beam training requires both transmitting and receiving devices to perform an exhaustive beam scan search within the coverage area of ​​the millimeter-wave antenna array to find the other's direction, which makes the beam training process very costly. The IEEE 802.11ad and 802.11ay standards use the millimeter-wave band for Wi-Fi communication and employ a hierarchical scanning strategy. First, a wide-beam search is performed in the millimeter-wave band to determine the approximate range, and then a narrow-beam search is performed to determine the final beam alignment direction, which speeds up the search process to some extent. Integrating the millimeter-wave 802.11bq standard will further standardize communication between WiFi devices where low-frequency Sub-7 GHz links and high-frequency millimeter-wave links coexist.

[0145] The preceding text introduced some terms, concepts, or processes involved in the embodiments of this application. The following text introduces the technical background involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0146] As described in the background section, in current mainstream short-range communication systems, multiple devices may interfere with each other when transmitting wirelessly on the same channel simultaneously. Reducing interference between devices has always been a research hotspot. To address this, this application provides an interference indication scheme. In the interference indication scheme provided by this application, an interference indication frame is sent, which indicates the time period during which a second station (any station receiving the interference indication frame) will be interfered with. This allows the second station to perform interference avoidance operations during the first time period, thereby reducing or avoiding interference experienced by the second station during the first time period, or reducing or avoiding interference caused to the first station during the first time period, thus improving system performance.

[0147] The interference indication scheme provided in this application is described below with reference to Figures 7 and 9.

[0148] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an interference indication method provided in an embodiment of this application. In this application, the operation performed by the first station can be implemented by the first station or a component within the first station; the following description uses the first station implementation as an example. The operation performed by the second station can be implemented by the second station or a component within the second station; the following description uses the second station implementation as an example. As shown in Figure 7, the method includes:

[0149] 701. The first station obtains the interference indication frame.

[0150] The interference indication frame includes first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information indicates a first time period. The first time period can be a continuous time period or multiple non-contiguous time periods. Optionally, the first indication information includes one or more of the following: start time, duration, period interval, number of periods, etc. The second indication information indicates that the first time period is the time period during which the second station will be interfered with. The interference indication frame instructs the second station to perform interference avoidance operations during the first time period. The second station can be any station that receives the interference indication frame. When multiple stations, including the second station, receive the interference indication frame, the interference avoidance operations performed by each of these multiple stations are the same as or similar to the interference avoidance operations performed by the second station. This application uses the second station as an example for description. Optionally, the interference indication frame also includes third indication information, which indicates a first channel / first link, and the second indication information indicates that the first time period is the time period during which the second station will be interfered with on the first channel / first link. For ease of description, the following description uses the example of the first time period during which the second station will be interfered with on the first channel. The first station can be an AP or a non-AP STA. The first site supports the Wi-Fi standard. Optionally, the first site also supports the Starflash standard and other short-range standards; this application is not limited to any particular standard. The interference indication frame can also be named interference notification frame, interference indication message, etc.; this application is not limited to any particular name. Optionally, the interference indication frame is an ICF. The ICF can be a multi-user request to send (MU-RTS) frame or a buffer status report poll (BSRP) frame, etc. Optionally, the interference indication frame includes a TWT element, which is the aforementioned first indication information, and the TWT SP indicated by the TWT element is a first time period.

[0151] In one possible design, when the second indication information takes the first value, it indicates that the first time period is the time period during which the second site will be interfered with; thus, the interference indication frame indicates that the first time period is the time period during which the second site will be interfered with. Optionally, the second indication information is 1 bit. The first value is 1 or 0. Optionally, when the second indication information takes the second value, it indicates that the first time period is the time period during which the third site is unavailable, the third site is the first site, or the third site is proxied by the first site, that is, the first site is a proxy site of the third site; thus, the interference indication frame can be used to indicate both the unavailable time period and the time period during which interference will occur, in order to reduce the workload of parsing the interference indication frame. Optionally, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0. Optionally, the first value is 0 and the second value is 1. Optionally, the interference indication frame is an ICF. As an example, the interference indication frame can be any existing ICF used to indicate unavailable time periods (e.g., the time period during which AP or non-AP STA is unavailable), with the second indication information added; thus, the interference indication frame can be used to indicate both the time period during which the second site will be interfered with and the unavailable time period. In this example, the interference indication frame adds a second indication information (e.g., 1 bit) to an existing ICF. This second indication information indicates whether the first time period is an "unavailable time period" or a time period during which the second site will be interfered with. Optionally, the interference indication frame also includes an interference type field. When the second indication information takes a first value, the interference type field indicates the type of interference the second site will experience during the first time period. A description of the interference type field can be found below.

[0152] In another possible design, the second indication information is an interference type field, which indicates the type of interference the second station will experience during the first time period; this allows the second station to perform corresponding interference avoidance operations based on the interference type. Optionally, when the interference indication frame contains an interference type field (and indicates a specific interference type), the interference indication frame implicitly indicates that the first time period is the time period during which the second station will be interfered with. Optionally, when the interference indication frame contains an interference type field (but does not indicate a specific interference type), it implicitly indicates that the first time period is an unavailable time period. Optionally, the interference type field includes s bits, where each value of the s bits corresponds to a different interference type, and s is an integer greater than 0. For example, s can be 2, 3, 4, etc. Optionally, some values ​​of the s bits are reserved, i.e., they do not correspond to any interference type. Optionally, the interference indication frame is an ICF. As an example, the interference indication frame can be any existing ICF used to indicate unavailable time periods (e.g., the time period when AP or non-AP STA is unavailable), with the second indication information added; this can reduce the workload of parsing the interference indication frame. The second station can perform interference avoidance operations based on the interference type indicated by the interference type field. The interference avoidance operation is used to reduce or avoid interference experienced by the second station during the first time period, or to reduce or avoid interference caused to the first station during the first time period. In other words, the purpose of the second station performing the interference avoidance operation is to reduce or avoid interference experienced by the second station during the first time period, or to reduce or avoid interference caused to the first station during the first time period. The second station performs the interference avoidance operation in any of the following ways: performing NPCA, performing DSO, entering power-saving mode, entering DPS, updating the NPCA main channel information, establishing or updating TWT, avoiding the interfered channel during the interference-affected time period (first time period), or stopping transmission on the interfered channel during the interference-affected time period, i.e., yielding the channel. Optionally, the interference avoidance operation performed by the station differs depending on the interference indication frame it receives indicating different interference types.

[0153] Optionally, the interference type field indicates that the interference type is the interference caused by the transmission of the first service of the first station to the transmission of the second station. The interference caused by the transmission of the first service of the first station to the transmission of the second station includes: interference caused by the signal / information transmitted by the first station when performing the first service to the transmission of the second station; and / or, interference caused by the channel quality requirements of the first service of the first station to the transmission of the second station. For example, if the first station performs a service with extremely high channel quality requirements on a certain channel during a first time period, the second station is not allowed to transmit on that channel during that first time period. It is evident that the channel quality requirements of the service to be performed by the first station during the first time period may cause interference to the transmission of the second station. Optionally, the interference indication frame also includes third indication information, which indicates the first channel, and the second indication information indicates that the first time period is the time period during which the second station will be interfered with on the first channel, and the interference type is the interference caused by the transmission of the first service of the first station on the first channel to the transmission of the second station. The first service can be a service that interferes with services transmitted simultaneously on the same channel, such as a service that frequently occupies the channel, or a service with channel quality requirements higher than or equal to the first channel quality requirements, or other services; this application does not limit this. The first channel quality requirement can be specified by the communication protocol or configured by the AP. As an example, the first channel quality requirement includes one or more of the following: the site's access delay on the channel is less than the third threshold, the ratio of the site's actual effective throughput (goodput) to its theoretical effective throughput on the channel is higher than the fourth threshold, and the channel's signal-to-noise ratio is higher than the fifth threshold. The third, fourth, and fifth thresholds are not limited.

[0154] As an example, the first service is any of the following: Wi-Fi P2P service, i.e., transmission service between non-AP STAs or between APs; StarSpeed ​​P2P service; IMWP2P service; and channel measurement task. Channel measurement tasks can include sensing services, positioning services, ranging services, etc. During Wi-Fi P2P or StarSpeed ​​P2P transmission, predictable frequent channel occupancy will occur on a specific channel (e.g., the first channel), interfering with other transmissions on that channel during this time period. Therefore, interference indication or warning is necessary, i.e., sending interference indication frames. The StarSpeed ​​standard's access mechanism is more robust than Wi-Fi's access mechanism, and Wi-Fi communication will be significantly affected when coexisting. If a site uses the StarSpeed ​​standard, interference indication or warning is necessary, i.e., the site needs to send interference indication frames. After establishing the TWT at high frequency in IMWP, during the low-frequency auxiliary service period (SP) of IMWP2P, while performing different operations such as beam training and spatial multiplexing at high frequency, it is necessary to provide measurement information feedback at low frequency or to provide low-frequency interactive control information. To ensure the normal operation of high-frequency operations, reliable low-frequency control information transmission must be maintained; therefore, the channel quality requirements for the low-frequency auxiliary channel are high, i.e., the channel quality requirements are higher than or equal to the first channel quality requirements. Similarly, channel measurement tasks such as sensing and positioning also require high channel quality during their execution time or SP (Special Service Point). Under clean channel conditions, these tasks can be completed efficiently and accurately. After establishing the TWT (Time-to-Wave) at high frequency in the IMMW (In-Mixed Multi-Wave), channel measurement tasks such as sensing and positioning may also be performed during the SP; therefore, high channel quality is required during the SP. Optionally, the interference avoidance operations performed by the station differ depending on the interference indication frame received, indicating different interference types.

[0155] As an example, each value of the Interference Type field corresponds to a specific service. The interference type indicated by the Interference Type field is the interference caused by the transmission of that service at the first site to the transmission at the second site. For instance, when the Interference Type field is 0, it indicates that the interference caused by the Wi-Fi P2P service transmission at the first site to the transmission at the second site; when the Interference Type field is 1, it indicates that the interference caused by the Star Flash P2P service transmission at the first site to the transmission at the second site; when the Interference Type field is 2, it indicates that the interference caused by the IMW P2P service transmission at the first site to the transmission at the second site; and when the Interference Type field is 3, it indicates that the interference caused by the channel measurement task at the first site to the transmission at the second site.

[0156] Optionally, the interference type field indicates the type of interference caused by the first channel quality requirement of the first station to the transmission of the second station, or the interference caused by the second channel quality requirement of the first station to the transmission of the second station. The first channel quality requirement and the second channel quality requirement are different. The second channel quality requirement can be specified by the communication protocol or configured by the AP. As an example, the second channel quality requirement includes one or more of the following: the access delay of the station on the channel is less than the sixth threshold, the ratio of the actual effective throughput of the station on the channel to the theoretical effective throughput is higher than the seventh threshold, and the signal-to-noise ratio of the channel is higher than the eighth threshold. The sixth, seventh, and eighth thresholds are not limited. The sixth threshold is greater than the third threshold mentioned above. The seventh threshold is less than the fourth threshold. The eighth threshold is equal to the fifth threshold. As an example, the first channel quality requirement includes one or more of the following: channel quality requirements of IMW P2P for the low-frequency auxiliary channel, channel quality requirements of the channel measurement task; the low-frequency auxiliary channel is the first channel. As an example, the second channel quality requirement includes one or more of the following: Wi-Fi P2P service, Bluetooth P2P transmission.

[0157] As an example, the interference type field includes one or more bits. When the interference type field is 1, it indicates that the interference type is caused by the first channel quality requirement of the first station interfering with the transmission of the second station. When the interference type field is 0, it indicates that the interference type is caused by the second channel quality requirement of the first station interfering with the transmission of the second station. Optionally, the interference avoidance operation performed by the second station differs depending on the interference indication frame it receives. For example, if the interference type field in the interference indication frame received by the second station indicates that the first channel quality requirement of the first station is interfering with the transmission of the second station, the second station performs a first interference avoidance operation; if the interference type field in the interference indication frame received by the second station indicates that the second channel quality requirement of the first station is interfering with the transmission of the second station, the second station performs a second interference avoidance operation, which is different from the first interference avoidance operation.

[0158] Optionally, the interference type field indicates whether the interference type exceeds a first threshold or does not exceed a first threshold. The first threshold may be specified by a protocol, and this application does not limit the specific value of the first threshold. Interference exceeding the first threshold can be considered strong interference, and interference not exceeding the first threshold can be considered weak interference.

[0159] As an example, when the interference type field is 1, the interference type indicated by the interference type field is interference exceeding the first threshold; when the interference type field is 0, the interference type indicated by the interference type field is interference not exceeding the first threshold. Optionally, the interference avoidance operation performed by the station is different when it receives an interference indication frame indicating different interference types. For example, when the interference type field in the interference indication frame received by the second station indicates interference exceeding the first threshold, the second station performs a third interference avoidance operation; when the interference type field in the interference indication frame received by the second station indicates interference not exceeding the first threshold, the second station performs a fourth interference avoidance operation. The third and fourth interference avoidance operations are different.

[0160] Optionally, the interference indication frame also includes fourth indication information, which indicates the transmission power. This transmission power is the transmission power of the third station within the first time period. The third station is the first station. Alternatively, the third station is proxies the first station. Optionally, the interference indication frame also includes identification information of the third station, such as the association identifier (AID) of the third station. The second station can perform interference avoidance operations based on the transmission power indicated by the fourth indication information in the interference indication frame. In other words, the transmission power indicated by the fourth indication information in the interference indication frame is used by the second station to determine the interference avoidance operation to be performed within the first time period. The second station may perform different interference avoidance operations when the fourth indication information in the interference indication frame indicates different transmission powers. As an example, when the transmission power indicated by the fourth indication information in the interference indication frame is higher than a second threshold, the second station performs a fifth interference avoidance operation; when the transmission power indicated by the fourth indication information in the interference indication frame is lower than the second threshold, the second station performs a sixth interference avoidance operation, which is different from the fifth interference avoidance operation. Optionally, the second station performs interference avoidance operations based on the transmission power indicated by the fourth indication information in the interference indication frame and the interference type indicated by the interference type field in the interference indication frame.

[0161] In one possible design, the interference indication frame includes an interference parameter set field (or interference parameter set domain), which includes the aforementioned first indication information and an interference type field. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the frame format of an interference parameter set field provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8, the interference parameter set field includes one or more of the following fields: unavailable or interference time information field, interference indication bit, interference type field, interference channel / link field, interference source transmission power, periodic information, whether it is a proxy field, and proxied site device identifier. The unavailable or interference time information field is used to indicate the aforementioned first time period. The unavailable or interference time information field is an example of the aforementioned first indication information. Optionally, when the interference indication bit takes a first value, it is used to indicate that the first time period is the time period during which the second site will be interfered with. When the interference indication bit takes a second value, it is used to indicate that the first time period is the time period during which the third site is unavailable. The interference channel / link field is used to indicate the channel / link that the second site is interfered with during the first time period. The interference source transmission power is the transmission power of the third site, for example, the transmission power on the channel / link indicated by the interference channel / link field. The periodicity information indicates the period interval and number of periods for the first time period. The "Proxy" field indicates whether the interference indication frame was sent by a proxy site. The proxied site device identifies the device identifier of the site that the first site proxied, such as the device identifier of the third site. The position and length of each field in the interference indication frame are not limited. As an example, the interference indication frame is a BSRP frame, and the Special User Info or Common Info field in the BSRP frame includes an interference parameter set field. As another example, the interference indication frame is a MU-RTS frame, and the Special User Info or Common Info field in the MU-RTS frame includes an interference parameter set field.

[0162] In one possible design, the first station acquires the interference indication frame, including: when the first station anticipates / determines that the aforementioned first service will be performed within a first time period, it generates the interference indication frame.

[0163] In one possible design, the first station acquires an interference indication frame, including: the first station generating the interference indication frame when it anticipates / determines that a second service will be executed during a first time period. The execution of the second service by the third station will cause interference to stations in adjacent BSSs. Alternatively, the second service can be a service that the first station determines will cause interference to stations in adjacent BSSs when executed. As an example, the second service may include Wi-Fi P2P service, Starlink P2P service, IMMWP2P service, channel measurement tasks, and other Wi-Fi and / or Starlink services. In this design, the first station can be an access point (AP), and after acquiring the interference indication frame, the first station sends the interference indication frame to stations in adjacent BSSs. Optionally, the interference indication frame also includes an identifier of the BSS where the first station is located.

[0164] In another possible design, the first station acquires the interference indication frame, including receiving the interference indication frame from the third station. The first station acts as a proxy station for the third station, or in other words, the third station is proxied by the first station. Optionally, both the first and third stations are non-AP STAs. The first station proxies the third station in sending the interference indication frame to the AP, or in other words, the first station, acting as a proxy station for the third station, forwards the received interference indication frame from the third station to the AP. As an example, when the third station and a fourth station (excluding the first station) are about to perform a P2P transmission, if the third station is not associated with the AP or cannot directly send the interference indication frame to the AP for other reasons, it can send the interference indication frame to the AP through a proxy station (e.g., the first station).

[0165] In another possible design, the first station acquires the interference indication frame, including: the first station generating the interference indication frame based on first information from the third station, whereby the first information indicates that the transmission of the second station will be interfered with during a first time period. Optionally, the first information may include the aforementioned first indication information and the aforementioned second indication information. Optionally, both the first and third stations are non-AP STAs. The third station is not associated with an AP or cannot directly send the interference indication frame to the AP for other reasons, while the first station can directly send the interference indication frame to the AP, for example, if the first station is associated with an AP; the first station acts as a proxy station for the third station and generates the interference indication frame based on the first information received from the third station. As an example, when the third station and the fourth station are about to perform P2P transmission, if the third station is not associated with an AP or cannot directly send the interference indication frame to the AP for other reasons, the third station sends the first information to the first station; the first station, acting as a proxy station for the third station, generates the interference indication frame based on the first information received from the third station. Optionally, the third station does not support the first communication protocol, while the first station does. The interference indication frame is sent by the station supporting the first communication protocol. The first station acts as a proxy for the third station in sending the interference indication frame; in other words, the third station sends the interference indication frame through its proxy station. For example, the first communication protocol is the Wi-Fi standard. As an example, when a third station supporting the StarSignal standard but not the Wi-Fi standard is about to transmit, it sends the interference indication frame through a proxy station (e.g., the first station) that supports both the StarSignal and Wi-Fi standards. The third station sending the interference indication frame through the first station, which supports both the StarSignal and Wi-Fi standards, can be achieved by: the third station sending first information to the first station based on the StarSignal standard; the first station generating the interference indication frame based on the first information and sending it. The first station is an AP or a non-AP STA, and the third station is a non-AP STA.

[0166] 702. The first station sends an interference indication frame.

[0167] Correspondingly, the second station receives the interference indication frame. In some scenarios, multiple stations, including the second station, receive the interference indication frame, and the operations performed by each of these multiple stations are the same as or similar to those performed by the second station. For ease of description, this application embodiment uses the second station receiving the interference indication frame as an example. The first station and the second station can be located in the same BSS or in different BSSs. Optionally, the second station is an AP or a non-AP STA. As an example, the first station is a non-AP STA, and the second station is an AP or a non-AP STA. As another example, the first station is a first AP, and the second station is a second AP or a non-AP STA. The BSS associated with the first AP and the BSS associated with the second AP are different. As another example, the first station is a non-AP STA, and the second station is an AP or a non-AP STA that did not perform P2P transmission with the first station in the first time period.

[0168] 703. The second station analyzes the interference indication frame.

[0169] The second station parses the interference indication frame, including: the second station parses the interference indication frame to obtain first indication information and second indication information; and determines the first time period as the time period during which the second station will be interfered with based on the second indication information.

[0170] Optionally, after parsing the interference indication frame, the second station performs the following operations: based on the interference indication frame, it performs an interference avoidance operation within a first time period. The interference avoidance operation is used to reduce or avoid interference experienced by the second station within the first time period, or to reduce or avoid interference caused to the first station within the first time period; it can reduce or avoid interference experienced by the second station within the first time period, or to reduce or avoid interference caused to the first station within the first time period, thereby improving system performance. As an example, the interference avoidance operation performed by the second station within the first time period can be any of the following: performing non-primary channel access, with the first channel as the primary channel; performing DSO, for example, with the first channel as the primary 160MHz; entering power-saving mode; entering DPS; updating the NPCA primary channel information, with the first channel being the NPCA primary channel; establishing or updating TWT; performing channel access or transmission on a channel other than the first channel within the first time period, with the second indication information used to indicate that the first time period is the time period during which the second station will be interfered with on the first channel; stopping transmission on the first channel within the first time period, with the second indication information used to indicate that the first time period is the time period during which the second station will be interfered with on the first channel. An example of a second site updating information on the NPCA main channel is as follows: the second site updates the time during which the NPCA main channel is occupied, including the first time period. An example of a second site establishing or updating a TWT is as follows: the second site is a non-AP STA, and it sends a TWT request message to establish a TWT protocol. The TWTSP stipulated in this TWT protocol does not include the first time period. Another example of a second site establishing or updating a TWT is as follows: the second site is an AP, and it sends a beacon frame containing information associated with one or more broadcast TWTs. The time period of the active state indicated by the TWT parameter set in this beacon frame does not include the first time period. After receiving an interference indication frame, the type of interference avoidance operation performed by the second site can be specified by the standard or determined by the second site's internal implementation; this application does not impose any limitations on this.

[0171] In one possible design, the interference indication frame also includes an interference type field, which indicates the type of interference that the second station will experience during the first time period; the second station performs interference avoidance operations based on the interference indication frame during the first time period, including: the second station performs interference avoidance operations based on the interference type indicated by the interference type field in the interference indication frame during the first time period.

[0172] As an example, the interference type is the interference caused by the transmission of Wi-Fi P2P service at the first site to the transmission at the second site. The interference avoidance operation is to perform any of the following: reduce the number of spatial streams (NSS) used, or reduce the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) used.

[0173] As another example, the interference type is the interference caused by the transmission of the StarSpark P2P service of the first site to the transmission of the second site. The interference avoidance operation can be performed by any of the following: reducing the used NSS, reducing the used MCS, entering DPS mode, entering power-saving mode via TWT, using NPCA for channel switching, updating the NPCA primary channel, using DSO for channel switching, updating the DSO preferred channel, using selective subchannel transmission (SST) for channel switching, or performing link switching. Using NPCA for channel switching can mean switching to another channel. Using DSO for channel switching can mean switching to another channel. Using SST for channel switching can mean switching to another channel. In this document, "other channels" refers to channels other than the first channel. The first information is used to indicate that the transmission of the second site on the first channel will be interfered with during the first time period. SST is a technique in WLANs to improve spectrum utilization and reduce interference. SST allows access points (APs) and stations (STAs) to communicate on specific subchannels, thereby optimizing network performance.

[0174] As another example, the interference type is the interference caused by the transmission of the IMMW P2P service of the first site to the transmission of the second site. The interference avoidance operation is to perform any of the following: enter DPS mode, enter energy-saving mode through TWT, use NPCA to switch channels, update the NPCA primary channel, use DSO to switch channels, update the DSO preferred channel, use SST to switch channels, or perform link switching.

[0175] As another example, the interference type is the interference caused by the channel measurement task of the first site to the transmission of the second site. The interference avoidance operation is any of the following: enter DPS mode, enter energy-saving mode via TWT, use NPCA to switch channels, update the NPCA primary channel, use DSO to switch channels, update the DSO preferred channel, use SST to switch channels, or perform link switching.

[0176] As another example, the interference type is the interference caused by the first channel quality requirement of the first site to the transmission of the second site, where the first channel quality requirement is ..., and the interference avoidance operation is any of the following: enter DPS mode, enter energy-saving mode via TWT, use NPCA for channel switching, update the NPCA primary channel, use DSO for channel switching, update the DSO preferred channel, use SST for channel switching, perform link switching, reduce the NSS used, and reduce the MCS used.

[0177] As another example, the interference type is the interference caused by the second channel quality requirement of the first site to the transmission of the second site, and the second channel quality requirement is..., and the interference avoidance operation is to perform any of the following: reduce the NSS used, reduce the MCS used.

[0178] As another example, if the interference type exceeds the first threshold, the interference avoidance operation is performed by any of the following: entering DPS mode, entering power saving mode via TWT, using NPCA to switch channels, updating the NPCA primary channel, using DSO to switch channels, updating the DSO preferred channel, using SST to switch channels, performing link switching, reducing the NSS used, or reducing the MCS used.

[0179] As another example, for interference types that do not exceed the first threshold, the interference avoidance operation is performed by either reducing the NSS used or reducing the MCS used.

[0180] In another possible design, the interference indication frame also includes an interference type field and a fourth indication information. The interference type field indicates the type of interference that the second station will experience during the first time period. The fourth indication information is used to indicate the transmission power, which is the transmission power of the third station during the first time period. Based on the interference indication frame, the second station performs an interference avoidance operation during the first time period, including: the second station performs an interference avoidance operation based on the interference type indicated by the interference type field and the transmission power during the first time period.

[0181] As an example, when the interference type is below the first threshold or the transmission power is below the ninth threshold, communication can continue on the original channel or communication reliability can be maintained by appropriately reducing NSS, MCS, etc. When the interference type exceeds the first threshold or the transmission power is above the ninth threshold, dynamic power saving mode (DPS) can be entered, or time-division multiplexing can be performed by entering power saving mode via TWT, or channel switching can be performed using NPCA or DSO to avoid the interfering channel. The ninth threshold can be specified by the communication protocol or set according to actual needs; this application does not limit it.

[0182] Optionally, the second site is an AP. After parsing the interference indication frame, the second site performs one or more of the following operations: determining whether to perform NPCA, determining whether to perform NPCA main channel update and select NPCA main channel, determining whether to establish and how to establish TWT (e.g., performing time division multiplexing), determining whether to enter and how to set energy-saving mode or dynamic energy-saving mode, determining the setting and update of DSO preferred channel, using SST for channel switching, and performing link switching, etc.

[0183] In this embodiment of the application, the first station sends an interference indication frame, which is used to instruct the second station to perform an interference avoidance operation within a first time period. This allows the second station to perform the interference avoidance operation within the first time period, thereby reducing or avoiding interference to the second station within the first time period, or reducing or avoiding interference to the first station within the first time period, and thus improving system performance.

[0184] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating another interference indication method provided in an embodiment of this application. In the method of Figure 7, the first station actively sends an interference indication frame. In the method of Figure 9, after receiving an interference inquiry frame from the second station, the first station sends an interference indication frame. As shown in Figure 9, the method includes:

[0185] 901. The second station sends an interference query frame.

[0186] Accordingly, the first station receives an interference query frame. Optionally, the interference query frame is an ICF (Interference Query Frame). The interference query frame is used to query interference information within a second time period. The duration of the second time period can be set or adjusted according to actual needs, and this application does not limit it. Optionally, the interference query frame includes the duration of the second time period, and the start time of the second time period is the time when the first station receives the interference query frame. Optionally, the interference query frame includes fifth indication information, which is used to indicate the second time period. For example, the fifth indication information includes the start time and duration of the second time period.

[0187] In one possible design, the interference interrogation frame is used to interrogate interference information of one or more channels within a second time period. The interference interrogation frame includes sixth indication information. This sixth indication information indicates one or more channels, including the first channel. For example, the sixth indication information is a 16-bit bitmap, where each bit corresponds to 20MHz; the bandwidth corresponding to a bit with a value of 1 in this bitmap represents one or more channels.

[0188] In one possible design, the interference indication frame includes an interference query parameter set field (or interference query parameter set domain). Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the frame format of an interference parameter set field provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 10, the interference parameter set field includes one or more of the following fields: query time information, query channel / link, query type, and whether to report the proxied site field. The query time information is used to indicate the start time and duration of the query time period (i.e., the second time period mentioned above). As an example, the query time information includes the start time and duration of the query time period. The query channel / link is used to indicate the channel / link being queried. The query type is used to indicate whether to query unavailable information or interference information. For example, when the query type value is 1, it is used to query unavailable information; when the query type value is 0, it is used to query interference information. The whether to report the proxied site field is used to indicate whether to report relevant information of the proxied site, such as the identifier of the proxied site. For example, when the value of the "Whether to report the proxied site" field is 1, it indicates that the relevant information of the proxied site should be reported; when the value of the "Whether to report the proxied site" field is 0, it indicates that the relevant information of the proxied site should not be reported.

[0189] 902. The first station obtains the interference indication frame.

[0190] The first station is either an AP or a non-AP STA. An interference indication frame is used in response to an interference query frame. Optionally, the interference query frame is an ICR. As an example, the interference query frame is an ICR, and the per-AID traffic identifier (TID) information (i.e., Per AID TID Info) field in the ICR includes the aforementioned interference parameter set fields, see Figure 8. For example, the block acknowledgment bitmap in the Per AID TID Info field contains the aforementioned interference parameter set fields.

[0191] The interference indication frame includes first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information indicates a first time period, and the second indication information indicates that the first time period is the time period during which the second site will be interfered with. The first time period is included in the second time period. For a description of the interference indication frame, please refer to the description of the interference indication frame in the method flowchart in Figure 7, which will not be repeated here.

[0192] In one possible design, the first station acquires the interference indication frame by: after the first station anticipates / determines, based on the interference inquiry frame, that the aforementioned first service will be executed within a first time period, generating the interference indication frame. For example, after the first station determines, based on the interference inquiry frame, that the first service will be executed on the first channel within the aforementioned first time period, it generates the interference indication frame.

[0193] In another possible design, the first station acts as a proxy station for the third station. The first station acquires the interference indication frame by receiving the interference indication frame from the third station. Optionally, before receiving the interference indication frame from the third station, the first station sends an interference query frame to the third station. Optionally, both the first and third stations are non-AP STAs. As an example, after receiving an interference query frame from the second or first station, if the third station determines that it will perform P2P transmission with the fourth station on the first channel within a first time period, and if the third station is not associated with the AP or cannot directly send the interference indication frame to the AP for other reasons, it sends the interference indication frame to the first station, or in other words, sends the interference indication frame to the AP through a proxy station (e.g., the first station).

[0194] In another possible design, the first station acts as a proxy station for the third station. The first station acquires the interference indication frame by generating the interference indication frame based on first information from the third station. This first information indicates that the second station's transmission will be interfered with during a first time period. Optionally, the first information may include the aforementioned first indication information and the aforementioned second indication information. Optionally, both the first and third stations are non-AP STAs. The third station is not associated with an AP or cannot directly send the interference indication frame to the AP for other reasons, while the first station can directly send the interference indication frame to the AP. The first station generates the interference indication frame based on the received first information from the third station. Optionally, the first station sends an interference query frame to the third station before receiving the first information. As an example, after receiving the interference query frame from the second or first station, if the third station determines that it will be performing P2P transmission with the fourth station, and if the third station is not associated with an AP or cannot directly send the interference indication frame to the AP for other reasons, it sends the first information to the first station. The first station generates the interference indication frame based on the received first information from the third station. Optionally, the third station does not support the first communication protocol, while the first station does. The interference indication frame is sent by a station supporting the first communication protocol. The first station acts as a proxy for the third station in sending the interference indication frame; in other words, the third station sends the interference indication frame through its proxy station. For example, the first communication protocol is the Wi-Fi standard. As an example, after receiving an interference query frame, the first station sends second information to the third station. This second information indicates interference information within a second time period and does not conform to the first communication protocol. Based on the received second information, the third station sends first information to the first station, which also does not conform to the first communication protocol. The first station generates an interference indication frame based on the first information from the third station.

[0195] 903. The first station sends an interference indication frame.

[0196] Correspondingly, the second station receives the interference indication frame. Optionally, the second station is an AP or a non-AP STA. As an example, the first station is a non-AP STA, and the second station is an AP or a non-AP STA. As another example, the first station is a first AP, and the second station is a second AP or a non-AP STA. The BSS associated with the first AP and the BSS associated with the second AP are different. As another example, the first station is a non-AP STA, and the third station is an AP or a non-AP STA that did not perform P2P transmission with the first station in the first time period. In some scenarios, multiple stations, including the second station, receive the interference indication frame, and each of these multiple stations performs the same or similar operations as the second station. For ease of description, the embodiments of this application are described using the second station receiving the interference indication frame as an example.

[0197] 904. The second station analyzes the interference indication frame.

[0198] Steps 903 to 904 can be referred to steps 702 to 703 in Figure 7, and will not be repeated here.

[0199] Optionally, after parsing the interference indication frame, the second station performs the following operation: based on the interference indication frame, it performs interference avoidance operation within a first time period.

[0200] In one possible design, the interference indication frame also includes an interference type field, which indicates the type of interference that the second station will experience during the first time period; the second station performs interference avoidance operations based on the interference indication frame during the first time period, including: the second station performs interference avoidance operations based on the interference type indicated by the interference type field in the interference indication frame during the first time period.

[0201] In another possible design, the interference indication frame also includes an interference type field and a fourth indication information. The interference type field indicates the type of interference that the second station will experience during the first time period. The fourth indication information is used to indicate the transmission power, which is the transmission power of the third station during the first time period. Based on the interference indication frame, the second station performs an interference avoidance operation during the first time period, including: the second station performs an interference avoidance operation based on the interference type indicated by the interference type field and the transmission power during the first time period.

[0202] Optionally, the second station is an AP. After parsing the interference indication frame, the second station performs one or more of the following operations: determining whether to perform NPCA, determining whether to perform NPCA main channel update and select NPCA main channel, determining whether to establish and how to establish TWT (e.g., performing time division multiplexing), determining whether to enter and how to set energy-saving mode or dynamic energy-saving mode, determining the setting and update of the DSO preferred channel, etc.

[0203] In this embodiment, the second station sends an interference query frame to inquire about interference information within a second time period. Based on the interference query frame, the first station sends an interference indication frame, which instructs the second station to perform interference avoidance operations within the first time period. This allows the second station to reduce or avoid interference experienced by the second station within the first time period, or to reduce or avoid interference caused to the first station within the first time period, thereby improving system performance.

[0204] The foregoing embodiments primarily use devices in existing network architectures as examples for illustrative purposes. It should be understood that the specific form of the devices is not limited in the embodiments of this application. For example, any device that can achieve the same function in the future is applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0205] It is understood that, in the various method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by the device (such as the first station, the second station, etc.) can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used in the device.

[0206] It is also understood that some optional features in the various embodiments of this application may not depend on other features in some scenarios, or may be combined with other features in some scenarios, without limitation.

[0207] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the units and algorithm steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is implemented in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0208] The communication device provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 11 to 13. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, for content not described in detail, please refer to the method embodiments above. For the sake of brevity, some content will not be repeated.

[0209] This application embodiment can divide the first or second station into functional modules according to the method example. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. The following description uses the division of functional modules according to each function as an example.

[0210] Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of the apparatus 10 provided in an embodiment of this application. The apparatus 10 can be used to implement any method and function related to the first / second station in the embodiments of this application. Referring to Figure 11, the apparatus 10 may include a transceiver module 11 and a processing module 12. Optionally, the transceiver module 11 corresponds to a baseband circuit and a radio frequency circuit included in the first / second station. The transceiver module 11 can implement corresponding communication functions. The processing module 12 is used for data processing. In other words, the transceiver module 11 is used to perform operations related to receiving and transmitting. The processing module 12 is used to perform other operations besides receiving and transmitting. The transceiver module 11 may also be referred to as a communication interface or communication unit. Optionally, the transceiver module 11 includes a transmitting module and / or a receiving module.

[0211] Optionally, the device 10 may further include a storage module 13, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 12 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module to enable the device to perform the actions of the stations in the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0212] In one design, the device 10 may correspond to the first station in the above method embodiments, or to a component of the first station (such as a chip).

[0213] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to the first station in the above method embodiment, wherein the transceiver module 11 can be used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the first station in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 12 can be used to perform the processing-related operations of the first station in the above method embodiment.

[0214] In one possible implementation, the processing module 12 is used to acquire an interference indication frame. The interference indication frame includes first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate a first time period, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the first time period is the time period during which the second station will be interfered with. The interference indication frame is used to instruct the second station to perform interference avoidance operations during the first time period.

[0215] The transceiver module 11 is used to send interference indication frames.

[0216] In one design, the device 10 may correspond to the second station in the above method embodiments, or to a component of the second station (such as a chip).

[0217] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to the second station in the above method embodiment, wherein the transceiver module 11 can be used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the second station in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 12 can be used to perform the processing-related operations of the second station in the above method embodiment.

[0218] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 11 is used to receive an interference indication frame. The interference indication frame includes first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate a first time period, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the first time period is the time period during which the second station will be interfered with. The interference indication frame is used to instruct the second station to perform interference avoidance operations during the first time period.

[0219] Processing module 12 is used to parse interference indication frames.

[0220] The communication devices and products involved in this application include, but are not limited to, communication servers, routers, switches, bridges, computers, mobile phones, smart home devices, tags, and other central control points. The solutions provided in this application include transmitters and receivers for transmitting / receiving packet-structured data; memory for storing signaling information and pre-agreed preset values; and a processor for parsing signaling information and processing related data.

[0221] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a device 20 provided in this application. As shown in Figure 12, the device 20 may include: a processor 201, a transceiver 205, and optionally a memory 202.

[0222] Transceiver 205, also known as a transceiver unit, transceiver, or transceiver circuit, is used to implement transceiver functions. Transceiver 205 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver, also known as a receiver circuit, is used to implement the receiving function. The transmitter, also known as a transmitter or transmitting circuit, is used to implement the transmitting function.

[0223] The memory 202 may store computer programs, software code, or instructions 204, which may also be referred to as firmware. The processor 201 may control the media access control (MAC1) layer and the physical layer by running the computer programs, software code, or instructions 203 therein, or by calling the computer programs, software code, or instructions 204 stored in the memory 202, to implement the various embodiments of this application.

[0224] The processor 201 and transceiver 205 described in this application can be implemented on integrated circuits (ICs), analog ICs, radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs), mixed-signal ICs, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), printed circuit boards (PCBs), electronic devices, etc.

[0225] The aforementioned device 20 may also include an antenna 206. The modules included in the device 20 are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0226] The processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0227] The memory mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM can be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, RAM includes various forms such as: static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0228] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated into the processor.

[0229] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0230] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a chip system 30 provided in an embodiment of this application. The chip system 30 (or may also be called a processing system) includes logic circuitry 31 and an input / output interface 32.

[0231] The logic circuit 31 can be a processing circuit in the chip system 30. The logic circuit 31 can be coupled to a memory unit, calling instructions from the memory unit, enabling the site including the chip system 30 to implement the methods and functions of the various embodiments of this application. The input / output interface 32 can be an input / output circuit in the chip system 30, outputting processed information from the chip system 30, or inputting data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system 30 for processing.

[0232] As one approach, the chip system 30 is used to implement the operations performed by the first station in the various method embodiments described above.

[0233] For example, logic circuit 31 is used to implement the processing-related operations performed by the first station in the above method embodiment; input / output interface 32 is used to implement the sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by the first station in the above method embodiment.

[0234] As one approach, the chip system 30 is used to implement the operations performed by the second station in the various method embodiments described above.

[0235] For example, logic circuit 31 is used to implement the processing-related operations performed by the second station in the above method embodiment; input / output interface 32 is used to implement the sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by the second station in the above method embodiment.

[0236] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods of the above embodiments.

[0237] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes instructions or a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the methods in the above embodiments to be executed.

[0238] This application also provides a chip, which includes: a communication interface and a processor; the communication interface is used for signal transmission and reception of the chip; the processor is used to execute computer program instructions, causing a communication device including the chip to perform the methods as described in the above embodiments.

[0239] The explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant contents in any of the devices provided above can be found in the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0240] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection of apparatus or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0241] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the flow or function according to the embodiments of this application is generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. For example, the computer can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc. Computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks, SSDs). For example, the aforementioned available media include, but are not limited to, USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks, and other media capable of storing program code.

[0242] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An interference indication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first site, and the method includes: Obtain an interference indication frame, the interference indication frame including first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate a first time period, the second indication information is used to indicate that the first time period is the time period during which the second station will be interfered with, and the interference indication frame is used to instruct the second station to perform interference avoidance operation within the first time period. Send the interference indication frame.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the second indication information takes the first value, it is used to indicate that the first time period is the time period during which the second site will be interfered with.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the second indication information takes a second value, it is used to indicate that the first time period is a time period during which the third site is unavailable, the third site is the first site, or the third site is proxied by the first site.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second indication information is an interference type field, which indicates the type of interference that the second site will experience during the first time period.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The type of interference is the interference caused by the transmission of the first service at the first site to the transmission at the second site.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first service is any one of the following: Wi-Fi point-to-point P2P service, StarFlash P2P service, integrated millimeter wave IMW P2P service, or channel measurement task.

7. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The interference type is either the interference caused by the first channel quality requirement of the first station to the transmission of the second station, or the interference caused by the second channel quality requirement of the first station to the transmission of the second station, wherein the first channel quality requirement and the second channel quality requirement are different.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first channel quality requirement includes one or more of the following: channel quality requirements for the low-frequency auxiliary channel in IMMW P2P, and channel quality requirements for the channel measurement task; the low-frequency auxiliary channel is the first channel.

9. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The interference type is either interference exceeding a first threshold or interference not exceeding the first threshold.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The interference indication frame also includes third indication information, which is used to indicate the first channel / link, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the first time period is the time period during which the second site will be interfered with on the first channel / link.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The interference indication frame further includes fourth indication information, which is used to indicate the transmission power. The transmission power is the transmission power of the third station during the first time period. The third station is the first station, or the third station is proxied by the first station.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The first site is a proxy site for the third site; Acquire interference indication frames, including: Receive the interference indication frame from the third station; or, Based on the first information from the third station, the interference indication frame is generated, wherein the first information is used to indicate that the transmission of the second station will be interfered with during the first time period.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, Both the first site and the third site are non-access point sites; the third site is not associated with an access point, while the first site is associated with an access point; or, The third station does not support the first communication protocol, while the first station does support the first communication protocol.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, Before acquiring the interference indication frame, the method further includes: An interference query frame is received, which is used to query interference information within a second time period, wherein the first time period is included in the second time period.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The interference interrogation frame is used to interrogate one or more channels for interference information during the second time period. The interference interrogation frame includes a fifth indication information or a sixth indication information. The fifth indication information is used to indicate the second time period, and the sixth indication information is used to indicate the one or more channels, including the first channel.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that, The interference avoidance operation is used to reduce or avoid interference to the second site during the first time period, or the interference avoidance operation is used to reduce or avoid interference to the first site during the first time period.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The interference indication frame also includes an interference type field, which indicates the type of interference that the second station will experience during the first time period. The interference type is the interference caused by the Wi-Fi P2P service transmission of the first site to the transmission of the second site, and the interference avoidance operation is any one of the following: reducing the number of spatial streams (NSS) used, reducing the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) used; or... The interference type is the interference caused by the transmission of the StarFlash P2P service of the first site to the transmission of the second site. The interference avoidance operation is any one of the following: reducing the used NSS, reducing the used MCS, entering dynamic energy-saving DPS mode, entering energy-saving mode through the target wake-up time (TWT), using a non-primary channel to access the NPCA for channel switching, updating the NPCA primary channel, using dynamic subband operation (DSO) for channel switching, updating the DSO preferred channel, or using subchannel selection transmission (SST) for channel switching; or... The interference type is the interference caused by the transmission of the IMMW P2P service of the first site to the transmission of the second site. The interference avoidance operation is any one of the following: entering DPS mode, entering power-saving mode via TWT, using NPCA for channel switching, updating the NPCA primary channel, using DSO for channel switching, updating the DSO preferred channel, or using SST for channel switching; or... The interference type is the interference caused by the channel measurement task of the first station to the transmission of the second station. The interference avoidance operation is any one of the following: entering DPS mode, entering energy-saving mode via TWT, using NPCA to switch channels, updating the NPCA primary channel, using DSO to switch channels, updating the DSO preferred channel, or using SST to switch channels.

18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The interference indication frame also includes an interference type field, which indicates the type of interference that the second station will experience during the first time period. The interference type is the interference caused by the first channel quality requirement of the first station to the transmission of the second station. The interference avoidance operation is any one of the following: entering DPS mode, entering power-saving mode via TWT, using NPCA for channel switching, updating the NPCA primary channel, using DSO for channel switching, updating the DSO preferred channel, using SST for channel switching, reducing the used NSS, reducing the used MCS; or... The interference type is the interference caused by the second channel quality requirement of the first station to the transmission of the second station, and the interference avoidance operation is any one of the following: reducing the NSS used, reducing the MCS used.

19. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The interference indication frame also includes an interference type field, which indicates the type of interference that the second station will experience during the first time period. The interference type is interference exceeding a first threshold, and the interference avoidance operation is any of the following: entering DPS mode, entering power-saving mode via TWT, using NPCA for channel switching, updating the NPCA primary channel, using DSO for channel switching, updating the DSO preferred channel, using SST for channel switching, reducing the used NSS, reducing the used MCS; or... The interference type is interference that does not exceed the first threshold, and the interference avoidance operation is any one of the following: reducing the NSS used, reducing the MCS used.

20. An interference indication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a second site, and the method includes: Receive an interference indication frame, the interference indication frame including first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate a first time period, the second indication information is used to indicate that the first time period is the time period during which the second site will be interfered with, and the interference indication frame is used to instruct the second site to perform interference avoidance operation during the first time period. The interference indication frame is parsed.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, When the second indication information takes the first value, it is used to indicate that the first time period is the time period during which the second site will be interfered with.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, When the second indication information takes a second value, it is used to indicate that the first time period is a time period during which the third site is unavailable, the third site is the first site, or the third site is proxied by the first site.

23. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The second indication information is an interference type field, which indicates the type of interference that the second site will experience during the first time period.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that, The type of interference is the interference caused to the second site by the transmission of the first service at the first site.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The first service is any one of the following: Wi-Fi P2P service, Star Flash P2P service, IMMW P2P service, channel measurement task.

26. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that, The interference type is either the interference caused by the first channel quality requirement of the first station to the transmission of the second station, or the interference caused by the second channel quality requirement of the first station to the transmission of the second station, wherein the first channel quality requirement and the second channel quality requirement are different.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that, The first channel quality requirement includes one or more of the following: channel quality requirements for the low-frequency auxiliary channel in IMMW P2P, and channel quality requirements for the channel measurement task; the low-frequency auxiliary channel is the first channel.

28. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that, The interference type is either interference exceeding a first threshold or interference not exceeding the first threshold.

29. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 28, characterized in that, The interference indication frame also includes third indication information, which is used to indicate the first channel / link, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the first time period is the time period during which the second site will be interfered with on the first channel / link.

30. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 29, characterized in that, The interference indication frame further includes fourth indication information, which is used to indicate the transmission power. The transmission power is the transmission power of the third station during the first time period. The third station is the first station, or the third station is proxied by the first station.

31. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 30, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the interference indication frame, an interference avoidance operation is performed during the first time period. The interference avoidance operation is used to reduce or avoid interference to the second site during the first time period, or the interference avoidance operation is used to reduce or avoid interference to the first site during the first time period.

32. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that, The interference avoidance operation is performed by any of the following: performing non-main channel access (NPCA), performing dynamic subband operation (DSO), entering power saving mode, entering dynamic power saving mode (DPS), updating the NPCA main channel information, establishing or updating the target wake-up time (TWT), using subchannel selection transmission (SST) for channel switching, performing link switching, performing channel access or transmission on a channel other than the first channel during the first time period, and stopping transmission on the first channel during the first time period; the second indication information is used to indicate that the first time period is the period during which the second station will be interfered with on the first channel.

33. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that, The interference indication frame also includes an interference type field, which indicates the type of interference that the second station will experience during the first time period. The interference type is the interference caused by the Wi-Fi P2P service transmission of the first site to the transmission of the second site, and the interference avoidance operation is any one of the following: reducing the number of spatial streams (NSS) used, reducing the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) used; or... The interference type is the interference caused by the transmission of the StarFlash P2P service of the first site to the transmission of the second site. The interference avoidance operation is any one of the following: reducing the used NSS, reducing the used MCS, entering dynamic energy-saving DPS mode, entering energy-saving mode through the target wake-up time (TWT), using a non-primary channel to access the NPCA for channel switching, updating the NPCA primary channel, using dynamic subband operation (DSO) for channel switching, updating the DSO preferred channel, using subchannel selection transmission (SST) for channel switching, or performing link switching; or... The interference type is the interference caused by the transmission of the IMMW P2P service of the first site to the transmission of the second site. The interference avoidance operation is any one of the following: entering DPS mode, entering energy-saving mode via TWT, using NPCA for channel switching, updating the NPCA primary channel, using DSO for channel switching, updating the DSO preferred channel, using SST for channel switching, or performing link switching; or The interference type is the interference caused by the channel measurement task of the first station to the transmission of the second station. The interference avoidance operation is any one of the following: entering DPS mode, entering energy-saving mode through TWT, using NPCA to switch channels, updating the NPCA primary channel, using DSO to switch channels, updating the DSO preferred channel, using SST to switch channels, or performing link switching.

34. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that, The interference indication frame also includes an interference type field, which indicates the type of interference that the second station will experience during the first time period. The interference type is the interference caused by the first channel quality requirement of the first station to the transmission of the second station. The interference avoidance operation is any one of the following: entering DPS mode, entering power-saving mode via TWT, using NPCA for channel switching, updating the NPCA primary channel, using DSO for channel switching, updating the DSO preferred channel, using SST for channel switching, performing link switching, reducing the used NSS, reducing the used MCS; or... The interference type is the interference caused by the second channel quality requirement of the first station to the transmission of the second station, and the interference avoidance operation is any one of the following: reducing the NSS used, reducing the MCS used.

35. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that, The interference indication frame also includes an interference type field, which indicates the type of interference that the second station will experience during the first time period. The interference type is interference exceeding a first threshold, and the interference avoidance operation is any of the following: entering DPS mode, entering power-saving mode via TWT, using NPCA for channel switching, updating the NPCA primary channel, using DSO for channel switching, updating the DSO preferred channel, using SST for channel switching, performing link switching, reducing the used NSS, reducing the used MCS; or... The interference type is interference that does not exceed the first threshold, and the interference avoidance operation is any one of the following: reducing the NSS used, reducing the MCS used.

36. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 35, characterized in that, The method further includes: An interference query frame is sent to query interference information within a second time period, wherein the first time period is included in the second time period, and an interference indication frame is used to respond to the interference query frame.

37. The method according to claim 36, characterized in that, The interference interrogation frame is used to interrogate one or more channels for interference information during the second time period. The interference interrogation frame includes a fifth indication information or a sixth indication information. The fifth indication information is used to indicate the second time period, and the sixth indication information is used to indicate the one or more channels, including the first channel.

38. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-19, or includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 20-37.

39. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor coupled to a memory for storing computer programs or instructions, and the processor is configured to execute the computer programs or instructions in the memory, causing the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 37.

40. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 37.

41. A chip, characterized in that, include: A communication interface and a processor; the communication interface being used for signal transmission and reception of the chip; the processor being used to execute a computer program or instructions, causing a communication device including the chip to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 37.

42. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is run on a computer, it causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 37.

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